By Daily Sports Nigeria on April 24, 2024

Bendel Insurance say their current struggles are not connected to the travails and eventual impeachment of former Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, The PUNCH reports.

In a telephone chat with our correspondent, Insurance media officer, Kehinde Osagiede, hinted at the need to douse what he termed an erroneous impression by many that Shaibu’s alienation from the team due to a protracted faceoff with Governor Godwin Obaseki saw to a rapid dwindling of their fortunes in the Nigeria Premier Football League.

Osagiede said the club were doing well, picking up a few away wins and draws, while the former Deputy Governor was at loggerheads with his boss. He hinged the Federation Cup champions’ struggle for form on the exit of some key players whose replacements haven’t lived up to the billing.

He said, “Many people have been saying that the exit of the former Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, is the reason the club is not doing so well. That’s not true because even while he was no longer with the team, we were still picking away wins and draws.

“Our poor form is attributable to the exit of some key players like Benjamin Tanimu and Imade Osarenkhoe. We brought in replacements who failed to adequately fill their shoes.

“We badly missed Tanimu. He was the pillar of our defence, but since he left, we have been having problems with our central defence because his replacement hasn’t measured up. Even when we manage to score goals, we can’t stop conceding because the backline is not as tight.”

Shaibu was not only the team’s inspiration but also a registered player who featured in some home games when they went the entire 2022/23 NPFL regular season unbeaten following their promotion from the Nigeria National League.

Shaibu also ensured the team travelled to away games by air but a clash with Governor Obaseki culminated in his alienation from the team, who suddenly started experiencing dwindling performances.

Insurance are stuck in the middle of the NPFL standings with 42 points, having won 11, drawn nine, and lost 11 of 31 matches, which leaves them with no chance of picking a continental ticket unless they defend their President Federation Cup title and participate in the CAF Confederation Cup.

The Benin Arsenal, however, put up a gutsy road performance on Sunday, battling title-aspirants Lobi Stars to a goalless draw in a match-day 31 fixture at the Lafia Township Stadium.

Next for Monday Odigie’s team in the Nigerian topflight is a home game against troubled Heartland on Saturday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.

Source Punch Ng

Posted April 24, 2024

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