Bendel Insurance – Players salary, news, stadium

Bendel Insurance Football Club is a Benin-based club with a rich history and deep roots in Nigerian football.

Also named Insurance of Benin, or the Benin Arsenal, it has been in the doldrums of Nigerian football but resurrected from the dead in recent years.

After many years in the lower division, Bendel Insurance gained promotion back to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) in 2021/22.

Insurance of Benin finished top of its group in the abridged version of the 2022/23 season. However, they failed to pick a continental ticket after they finished fifth in the Super Six playoffs. They secured three draws and two defeats.

After a fantastic season that saw them go on a record, 21-game unbeaten run, Bendel Insurance was fortunate to pick the CAF Confederation Cup ticket. The Benin Arsenal defeated fierce rivals Rangers International of Enugu 1-0 in the final of the Federation Cup.

Their first match comes up against ASO Chlef of Algeria.

Bendel Insurance Stadium – Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium

Our only training session at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City ahead of NPFL Matchday 11 clash against Bendel Insurance#NPFL23 pic.twitter.com/tM8siK0FNx

— Akwa United FC (@AkwaUnited_fc) March 28, 2023

Bendel Insurance has its home in Benin, and they host their home matches at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium. The multi-purpose facility was first known as Ogbe Stadium. The arena received its name after a former governor of Bendel State.

The stadium has a capacity of 20,000 and has hosted many events. It underwent a refurbishment by the Governor of Edo State in 2020 and hosted the Super Eagles match against Sierra Leone in November 2021.

Before its refurbishment, the Samuel Ogbemudia was banned by the National League because it was not up to league standards.

Bendel Insurance coach – Monday Odigie

🎙️Finidi TM of Enyimba fc,
– Ogunmodede TM of Remo Stars,
– Odigie TM of Bendel Insurance are nominated For NPFL Coach Of The Year..
🎖️🎖️🎖️

They all had a tremendous season #NPFL24 pic.twitter.com/VNGfipBCZM

— BROADCASTER FOR NPFL 🎙️⚽️🦍🇳🇬 (@NINO_Rollanoda1) July 17, 2023

Monday Odigie is the coach of Bendel Insurance. The Benin outfit gaffer is no stranger to Nigerian football. He has his roots in Benin. Odigie also has a rich history with the Under-17 national team. He is proficient at working with youth players, which is evident in his management of Bendel Insurance.

The bulk of his squad are young talented boys whom he has groomed well. He led the team to promotion in the 2021/22 season and was in charge as they went on a 21-game unbeaten run. He brought the 44-year trophy drought of the Benin Arsenal to a halt with the Federation Cup win over arch-rivals Enugu Rangers.

Bendel Insurance coach Monday Odigie received an improved contract with the Benin Arsenals after their stellar performance last season.

Star Players

Ismail Sarki

Ismail Sarki is a top performer for the club who has filled in the hole left by Imade Osarenkhoe the club's top scorer in the 2022/23 season. The striker has contributed 3 goals for his team this season.

Nwachukwu Divine

Nwachukwu Divine is a talented goal-scoring midfielder. He bagged four league goals last term.

However, the talented youngster who earned a call-up to the Super Eagles in 2023, has not continued his good performances of last season for his club this campaign due to injury.

Player Salary

The salary scale of Bendel Insurance players ranges from the least paid to receive N150,000 monthly to the highest earner going home with N350,000.

Bendel Insurance latest news

Governor Godwin Obaseki offsets Sunshines medical bill

Following the attack on Sunshine Stars by suspected hoodlums on their way to honour their NPFL game against Bendel Insurance, the governor of Edo State has shown support for the Akure-based side.

In a display of his kindness and empathy, the Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, promised to pay the medical bills incurred by the Sunshine Stars team while receiving treatment at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.

The Governor made the promise through the Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission, Olympian Yusuf Alli, who has been concerned and monitoring the situation through his commission’s officials, and Bendel Insurance secretary who visited the injured at UBTH.

Bendel Insurance's 15-year unbeaten run against Enyimba FC has ended on Wednesday, 22 November 2023 at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba.

After a goalless draw in the first half of the heavyweight clash, Enyimba opened the scoring from a Joseph Atule's strike in the 70th minute before Ismail Sarki equalized for the visitors just within five minutes.

However, the People's Elephants got their noses in front again as Chijioke Mbaoma netted what became the winner in the 80th minute to ensure Enyimba picked their first win over Insurance since 2008.

Sponsorship

Bendel Insurance has a shirt sponsorship deal with Sterling Bank. The initial contract was worth N50 million. Sterling Bank renewed its relationship with the club earlier this year with an improved deal worth N75 million.