CAF Cup Qualifier: RS Berkane Of Morocco Pressurize Bendel Insurance To A 2-2 Draw In Edo

Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin was pressurized to a 2–2 draw by RS Berkane of Morocco in the second round of the 2023/24 CAF Confederation Cup preliminary stage last Saturday.
Bendel Insurance FC was impressive in their performance against the 2022 champions despite the stalemate and the rain in Benin City.
Imade Osarenkhoe gave Insurance FC the lead in the 28th minute of the action packed first leg match at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, with a fine shot after latching on a rebound from Benjamin Tanimu’s shot on target which was too hot for goalkeeper Amine El Quaad.
The Moroccans equalised in the 39th minute of play through Hamza El Moussaoui, following a poor clearance by Bendel Insurance defenders.
Both sides went into the dressing room at half time with a goal apiece.
On resumption, Insurance took the battle to the gate of the visitors with substitute Vincent Augustus tapping in Imade Osarenkhoe’s fine cross to put Bendel Insurance in front again in the 60th minute of play, sending the home fans into celebration at the 12,000 capacity-filled Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
Vincent Augustus’ goal celebration was however muted in the 78th minute with an equalizing goal by Mohamed El Morabit for the visitors. Morabit was quick in the counter attack.
The head coach and technical director of Bendel Insurance FC, Monday Odigie, has vowed to defend the pride of the club as his team continues in the battle for the group stage of the 2023/24 CAF Confederation Cup in Morocco.
The Benin Arsenals will be guests to the Renaissance de Sportive in the second leg of the CAF competition on September 29 in Morocco, hoping to cross the last hurdles to the group stage abroad.
Coach Odigie was speaking during the post-match interview at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium had expressed optimism that a better result abroad is possible, stressing that the performance of his team was his priority.
He said playing well against a tactically disciplined and experienced Moroccan team, which won the CAF Confederation Cup last year, is enough consolation.
Odigie said, “It is not over yet. We will go back to work. I keep telling people, football is about participation not always about winning at home. If you don’t play well, even in your bedroom, opponents can beat you there.
“I think we should appreciate the performance of our team. If we want to remain in the competition, we must go and fight for it. We are going to defend the pride of Bendel Insurance in Morocco”.
The coach of Berkane Karma Amine in his reaction, said his boys played like men. “We did a good job and I am satisfied with the result.”
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State had thrown his support for the Insurers by calling ahead of the game on Edolites to massively support Bendel Insurance Football Club against Renaissance Sportive de Berkane of Morocco.
Chairman Edo State Sports Commission, Olympian Yusuf Alli and the chief press secretary to Edo State governor, Mr Andrew Okungbowa, made the call on behalf of the governor during a press conference at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
“Let me on behalf of the government of Edo state and our Governor sincerely appreciate the people of Edo state, including the civil servants for the massive support they gave Bendel Insurance FC against their opponents from Algeria, ASO Chief in the first preliminary round game last month.
“The rhythm of that massive support still echoes. We are ready for the second round first leg again, come Saturday, September 16 at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, Benin against RS Berkane of Morocco, we are calling on our people again to come to the stadium to support Bendel Insurance FC. Your support in the first game played a very big role in Insurance victory, that is why we are inviting you all again.”
“The Edo State government is offering a free ride for spectators coming to the stadium the same way we did in the first round match. We have thrown the gate open with free tickets to watch. Our governor has put everything in place to ensure victory for Bendel Insurance tomorrow,” Okungbowa said.