Reforms by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration in the sports sector have continued to yield positive gains as the team’s goalkeeper, Amas Obasogie has been called up to the Super Eagles ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
This comes a few weeks after the Club’s center forward, Imade Osarenkhoe, officially joined United FC of the United Arab Emirates.
In a statement, Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie said the team’s success and return to national prominence is symptomatic of the systematic transformation of the sports sector in the state by the state government over the past seven years.
According to him, “Our darling team, Bendel Insurance has become the epicenter for the grooming and selection of players for national and international glory. The team’s goalkeeper, Amas Obasogie has just been invited to the Super Eagles.
“The team’s 22-year-old striker, Imade Osarenkhoe also recently signed a four-year deal with United Arab Emirates-based club, United FC, among other laurels and glory which has continued to trickle into the sports sector.
“These achievements are not just a fluke but the outcome of deliberate and painstaking reforms by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration’s visionary investment in sports development, which has provided the necessary resources and support to help the team and other young people in the State reach their full potential.”
Osagie added, “We are grateful to the governor for reviving the club which has now become a platform for youths in the State to excel and shine, putting Edo State on the national sports map and inspiring and motivating youngsters in the State to pursue their sporting dreams.”
While Obasogie has an outstanding record of six clean sheets in seven matches this season, with an impressive run that saw Bendel Insurance sustain a 26-game unbeaten streak last season, Imade Osarenkhoe had a remarkable steak with Bendel Insurance, especially during the previous season when he notched up a total of eleven goals in various competitions.
His exceptional performance in both the Nigeria Premier Football League and the CAF Confederation Cup campaign drew widespread attention. One of the defining moments of Osarenkhoe’s time with Bendel Insurance was his crucial goal in the match against Enugu Rangers, which secured their fourth national cup title – the Federation Cup, which marked a historic moment for the club, as it was their first in 43 years.
