The Benin Arsenals are set to battle Algerian top-flight side Aso Chelf in the preliminary stage of the 2023/24 CAF Confederations Cup.
The Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium will host the first leg of a double-legged match-up on Saturday, August 19, at 4:00 pm WAT, with the reverse leg to be played next week in Algeria.
Bendel Insurance qualified for the continental competition for the first time in over 29 years since their CAF Cup finals triumph against Primeiro de Maio in 1994. Bendal Insurance recorded a remarkable 2022/23 season which saw them finish 5th in the Nigerian Professional Football League, clinching the 2023 FA Cup after historically defeating Rangers International of Enugu and simultaneously qualifying for the CAF Confederation Cup.
New high-profile signings by the Club such as Kelly Kester from Kwara United and Ezekiel Tamara from Shooting Stars indicate that the management of the Club is not resting on their laurels and are improving the squad to enable them to compete favourably with their rivals.
The Arsenals will be looking for support from the home fans and strong performances from stars such as captain Maurice Prince, Zaidu Ayuba, and proven goal scorer “the black bullet” Imade Osarenkhoe.
Aso Chelf are no pushover as they finished 5th in the Algerian League 1 with 42 points. They have remained in the Top Flight in Algerian football for five consecutive years and have spent a total of 33 years in the Top Flight.
They also recorded new attacking signings in the transfer window such as Yawo Agbagno and Abdelaziz Moulay which they hope will improve their team and provide an edge against their opponents.
The match-up promises to be exciting as Bendel Insurance needs to get a convincing result; in order to boost their chances against the North African team in the reserve leg next week.
Meanwhile, The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has urged residents of the state to come in large numbers on Saturday, August 19, to cheer Bendel Insurance as the team begins its campaigns in the CAF competition at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
Governor Godwin Obaseki has approved the release of 30 buses to mobilize supporters to and fro the Stadium, as well as the distribution of Bendel Insurance’s free merchandising jersey to the first 100 people to arrive at the Stadium.
On the issues of strategic routes and pick-up locations for Edo people, buses would be available to pick up Edo residents at designated locations. At the point of entry, they would be issued free tickets to watch the Match.
The 10 strategic routes and their respective pickup points are namely:
1. Agbor Road Axis / Ikpoba Hill: – Ramat Park
2. Kings Square: – #1, Mission Road, ECTS Main Terminal at the Kings Square Axis
3. Ugbowo: – Main Gate & ECTS Turning Point at Oluku / NIFOR junction.
4. Sapele Road: – Winners Chappel
5. Airport Road: – ADP Junction & Estate Gate
6. Ekenwa Axis: – Ojemai Farms
7. Siloko / Ogida: – Channel 55
8. Aduwawa / Eyan Axis: – Pipeline & Idokpa Town Hall
9. New Benin Axis: – Mission Road Junction by Total Filling Station
10. Upper Sakponba: – Gorreti & 3rd East Circular Junction
