FOOTBALL enthusiasts in Benin on Wednesday said they were happy with the qualification of Bendel Insurance FC of Benin to the Nigeria Premier Professional League (NPFL).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the fans told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin that they thanked the state government for supporting the club.

NAN also reports that the club, popularly referred to as the “Benin Arsenal’’, sealed their qualification to the elite division in Aba on Wednesday following their one 1-0 victory over 3SC of Ibadan in the final match of the Super 8 League.

The Benin-based club topped their group with the maximum nine points.

The team had earlier recorded victory in its first match against Delta Force and second game over Remo Stars.

The fans also commended the players and their coaching crew for their determination to play in the nation’s top flight.

A fan, Saliu Ibrahim, described the qualification as the biggest sports news of the year.

He said that the players deserved the encomium being showered on them.

“This is a wonderful way to begin the year in the sports calendar of the state. They sure deserve this and I hope they will remain there, at the top flight of the nation’s league.

“The state’s Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, deserves a special commendation for providing the needed motivation to the players and coaching crew,’’ he said.

Ibrahim urged the coaching crew to retain quality players in the team and call for recruitment of good players to fortify the squad.

Another fan, Timothy Omobude, said that the club’s qualification to the premier league would open up more commercial activities to the state.

He said that government should not relent in the drive to invest in the club.

“We have all seen how investment of the government in the club has paid off; if they continue in this regard, Insurance qualification for continental tournaments will happen in no distant time,’’ Omobude said.

Similarly, Aliu Ozioruva called on the players and the club management to see their qualification as call for more work.

NAN reports that Insurance qualified to the elite division of the Nigeria league after 11 years in the Nigeria National League.

-NAN

BE

– Jan. 9, 2019 @ 16:10 GMT |