Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side Bendel Insurance will take to the pitch by 4pm (Nigerian time) for their CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round first leg tie against RS Berkane.
The Benin Arsenal were not favourites to progress in the previous round against ASO Chlef, but they did the needful to reach this final qualifying stage of the competition.
Bendel Insurance are hosting this first leg in Benin and will need to win convincingly if they want to reach the 2024 CAF Confederation Cup group stages.
With the Nigerian league yet to kick off, fans of Bendel Insurance and those who want the side to excel in the competition will be keen to see this match and we have prepared this article to give necessary information as regards that.
RS Berkane – what we know about Bendel Insurance opponents
RS Berkane of Morocco will play Bendel Insurance over two legs in the second preliminary round for a ticket to the 2024 CAF Confederation Cup group stages.
The side plays in the Botola Pro, the highest level of club football in Morocco. The Orange boys also faced a Nigerian side at this stage of the competition last season. They lost 3-1 in Lagos, Nigeria to Kwara United, before winning 2-0 in the second leg at home to reach the group stages.
Meanwhile, in 2022, RS Berkane won their second CAF Confederation Cup at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo after beating Orlando Pirates on penalties. They are one of the few teams to have won the trophy more than once.
In total, they have three medals in the Confederations Cup (two winners’ and one runners-up medal) which makes them one of the tournament’s most successful teams.
What to expect Bendel Insurance vs RS Berkane
Bendel Insurance is quite stingy with goals and might just score a few in this game, while allowing none or just one. Monday Odigie’s side has been solid defensively and the partnership between Sunday Anyawu and Benjamin Tanimu at the heart of the defense has continued to lift them.
However, they will miss the service of Super Eagles invitee Divine Nwachukwu who is closing in on a move abroad, while new recruits Kelly Kester and Ezekiel Tamara will be tasked with winning the midfield duels in front of the home support.
Hero of the last round, Amas Obasogie will also have to play a part in this contest if his side wants to make it past the Moroccan giants.
Where Bendel Insurance vs RS Berkane will be played
The fixture between Bendel Insurance and RS Berkane will be played at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City. Just like in the previous round against ASO Chlef, this is the first leg and the return leg will be played in Morocco.
The second leg of the tie is expected to be played at the Berkane Municipal Stadium on 29 September at a time that CAF will announce in the coming days.
The winner on aggregate scoreline will move to the group stages for a shot at the 2024 Confederation Cup.
Where to watch Bendel Insurance vs RS Berkane on Saturday
SuperSport and StarTimes have the rights to the CAF Confederation Cup, but only from the group stages.
Taking the above into account, this fixture will not be shown live on those platforms.
However, Bendel Insurance will be streaming the match on their official YouTube platform starting at 3:45pm (Nigerian time).
This article was most recently revised and updated 5 days ago
