… charges team to consolidate on home victory, return to winning ways
The attention of Bendel Insurance FC management has been drawn to rumours and malicious reports in some quarters that Coach Monday Odigie, Head Coach and Technical Director of Bendel Insurance has resigned from the club.
This statement was disclosed to the Nigerian Observer Sports on Saturday, March 9, by the Media Officer, Bendel Insurance FC, Kehinde Osagiede.
This step is crucial to address the misinformation and false reports gaining traction online.
Kehinde said, “The management would have preferred to ignore the rumours, but was compelled to react and put things in their right perspective so that the romours don’t gain ground and mislead the unsuspecting public.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Coach Monday Odigie remains the Head Coach and Technical Director of Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin and did not resign or dump his homeland club.”
Kehinde said, “This clarification has become necessary against the widespread rumour and malicious news reports trending on some social media platforms regarding the position of Coach Monday Odigie’s contract with the Insurance.
“Monday Odigie is in touch with the Insurance management, as has been confirmed by the Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Olympian Yusuf Alli, and the Secretary of Bendel Insurance FC, Charles Ihimekpen.”
The Bendel Insurance Media Officer further emphasised that “It’s on record that Odigie informed the Secretary of Bendel Insurance, Mr. Charles Ihimekpen, and his Assistant Coach, Greg Ikhenoba about the urgent need for him to travel out of the state to attend to some pressing needs immediately Insurance returned from Jos, Plateau state on Monday. He charged his first Assistant Coach, Greg Ikhenoba to take charge of the technical crew till his return.”
Recall that the Benin Arsenals cruised past Gombe United with a 2-0 victory in Benin City, on Friday evening, with Coach Greg Ikhenoba in charge of the technical crew without Coach Monday Odigie, igniting the rumour that Coach Odigie may have dumped his native land club.
It was Insurance’s first win in the five games played in the second stanza of the top-flight League.
Notably, the Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission, Olympian Yusuf Alli has commended the Benin Arsenal for showing commitment and patriotism in their brilliant 2-0 triumph over Gombe Utd on Friday evening, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in the NPFL Matchday 24 game.
Alli made the commendation on Saturday evening during his visit to Bendel Insurance’s camp and promised to redeem his cash rewards to the players on their victory against Gombe.
He encouraged the Benin Arsenals to consolidate on their home victory when they encounter Akwa Utd on Wednesday in Uyo, charging them to go all out and prove their critics wrong, and get more rewards.
While encouraging the Monday Odigie squad, the Sports Commission Chairman informed the players that the Edo State Government led by Mr. Godwin Obaseki remains solidly behind the team.
“We are happy about your performance yesterday. You showed to us that we can do more. In football and other sports, there is usually ups and downs. So, we have had some which is expected, but our ability to overcome and return to winning ways is what makes us champions,” Alli said.
“Talk to yourselves and get the winning mentality back. Our Government is ready to provide all that is necessary for you to excel. Win and get your rewards immediately,” Alli motivated the players.
