Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
After political feud with his boss, Godwin Obaseki, that has sent him out of the government house to an obscure place within the Osadebe Avenue, the embattled deputy governor, Philip Shaibu has trained with the Bendel Insurance Football Club ahead of the match day 2 in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL encounter with Plateau United.
He has charged the team to go all out for victory against their opponents at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City on Saturday.
The Deputy Governor gave the charge during the team’s training on Wednesday evening at the Western Boys High School Mini-Stadium, Benin City in preparation for the crucial encounter.
Shaibu, who joined the team in training, seized the opportunity to spur the boys ahead of Saturday’s clash against their familiar folks.
“I thank God that Bendel Insurance is still intact. Before the beginning of the season, we had new recruitment of quality players to join the good team we already have to beef up the team and sustain the unbeaten run last season”.
“This season is going to be very hectic because we are having a non- abridged league where we will be playing 38 matches in the league”.
“We are well prepared for the marathon league this season; we need all the players to be fit and be at their best by avoiding injury.
“We have a team that we are sure of sustaining the tempo that Bendel Insurance is known for.
“Bendel Insurance is a team to beat and we are very much aware of that. Though we are missing one of our top strikers, Imade, who I spoke with yesterday, he is doing very well in the UAE.
“Lucky enough, he registered his first goal in his debut match for his new club. This shows that Bendel Insurance is doing well as planned.
“Glory Ogbona who is currently with a Turkish side started with Edo Queens and today, she is now a Super Falcons who made her appearance in the last Female World Cup. We are very hopeful that Imade will also make it in the Nigeria National Team”, Shaibu said.
Shaibu, however, appealed to all Insurance fans and football lovers to come out en-masse in support of the Benin Arsenal on Saturday, October 14, 2023 in their weekend clash with Plateau United of Jos at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.
Truth Live News reports that the deputy governor was conspicuously missing in the match that was played by the Bendel Insurance against their Morocco counterpart where they lost to them.
His absence according to football enthusiasts, contributed to their poor performance in at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium and in Morocco.
Shaibu’s absence was because of the political rift that almost tore him and Obaseki apart if not for the interventions of notable individuals in the state.