Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye has congratulated Bendel Insurance for scaling the first qualifying hurdle of the CAF Confederation Cup, describing the Benin Arsenal’s win as another confirmation of the resurgence of the domestic league.
On Saturday, Insurance beat Algerian side ASO Chief 4-3 on penalties to reach the next round of the qualifying rounds.
“The victory is a confirmation that we are getting our league on a good pedestal to reclaim our place in the top echelon of African club football and we are determined to go higher”, Elegbeleye told NPLF Media.
He went on to urge Enyimba and Remo Stars to continue the renaissance of the league in their respective matches on Sunday.
Defending NPFL champions Enyimba will face Libya’s Al-Ahly Benghazi in Aba after losing 3-4 in the first leg last week, while last season’s runners-up in the NPFL, Remo Stars face Ghana’s Medeama with the Nigerian side carrying a lone goal deficit into the return leg in Ikenne-Remo.
In the statement on Saturday, NPFL’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Davidson Owumi also praised Insurance for their tenacity to make the country proud and assured all clubs of support to restore the country’s prime position in continental club Football.
“As we move towards the start of the season, I am happy that Insurance have shown that the last season produced worthy representatives to compete on the continent”, he said.
He urged the two clubs fans to turn up en masse to cheer their clubs to victory.
Insurance won the Federation Cup last season beating Rangers 1-0 in the final to qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup.
