posted August 18, 2023
…approves free transport to Stadium and free jerseys for the first 100 supporters
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has urged residents of the State to come out on Saturday, August 19, 2023, to cheer Bendel Insurance as the team begins its campaigns in the CAF competition with the first match against Algeria’s Aso Chlef, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
Addressing journalists at a press conference, the Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Mr. Yusuf Alli, said the historic encounter will see Bendel Insurance play again at the Continental stage after 34 years.
He said, “We just want you to know what is happening to Bendel Insurance from our own end and also from the Governor’s side of it. The last time Bendel Insurance played at the continental level was 34 years ago.
“Now, we are playing on the continent with the first match being this Saturday, we need the whole stadium to be filled up. We want a full capacity. We have tickets printed, airing television and radio commercials. Ticket gates are available for everyone. It is free.
“The state government and our governor are putting everything into hosting the match, ensuring that our team, Bendel Insurance, comes out on top on Saturday. For us, it is historic having not been on this stage in the last 34 years and so coming to this point, we are now, and given the fact that we have made history in the last abridged league and also the FA Cup that brought us here. The state government is quite aware of this and because of that, every effort is being made to ensure that no stone is left unturned and that our team comes top.”
He said Governor Godwin Obaseki has approved the release of buses to mobilize supporters to and back from the stadium, noting that hundreds of jerseys will be distributed to football fans at the stadium.
The Managing Director, of Edo City Transport Service (ECTS), Hauwa Dupe Ohikhuare, disclosed that the 10 locations for the free bus ride to the stadium include: “Agbor Road-axis -Ramat park; King Square – 1 Mission Road and ECTS main terminal; Ugbowo pick up point- Main Gate and ECTS turning point at Oluku/NIFFOR Junction; Sapele Road- Winners Chapel.
Others are Airport Road – ADP Junction & Estate Gate; Ekenwa axis – Ojemai farms; Siloko/Ogida – Channel 55; Aduwawa/ Eyan Axis- Pipeline & Idokpa Town Hall. New Benin; Mission Road by Total Junction and Upper Sakponba- Goretti and Third East Circular Junction.
Furthermore, a roadshow would go around Benin City on Friday to create more awareness and drum up support for the team.