Bendel Insurance Begin NPFL Campaign With Comeback Win, Edo Queens Reach WAFU-B Semis

By Correspondent

Bendel Insurance FC opened their 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) campaign on a winning note on Sunday, August 30, overcoming Warri Wolves 2-1 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.

The Benin Arsenals were forced to come from behind after Warri Wolves stunned the home crowd with an early goal.

Eventus Itohoro put the visitors ahead in the fifth minute, giving the Warri side a dream start to the encounter.

Insurance, however, quickly regained their composure and drew level in the 20th minute after forward Kayode Oke calmly converted from the penalty spot.

The hosts completed the comeback shortly after the restart, with midfielder Alex Oweilayefa finding the back of the net in the 48th minute to give Bendel Insurance a 2-1 advantage.

The Benin Arsenals held on for the remainder of the contest to secure all three points and begin their quest for the NPFL title on a positive note.

The victory will further boost expectations around the club, following Chairman Jarrett Tenebe’s declaration that the team has what it takes to end Bendel Insurance’s 47-year wait for another top-flight league title.

Tenebe, who also chairs Edo Queens FC, recently told Midwest Herald that extensive preparations, improved recruitment, player incentives and the support of Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo have placed Bendel Insurance in a strong position to mount a serious title challenge.

“When I joined Bendel Insurance FC last year as chairman of the club, they were at the bottom of the table,” Tenebe said.

“The first thing I did was to tie a certain amount of money to every goal scored. Each goal actually attracted a reasonable amount of money, and that changed everything.

“I’m happy the strategy worked for us, and we almost secured a place on the continent. I have the confidence that we are going to get it right this time with the preparations we have made.”

Tenebe’s intervention at the club last season coincided with a dramatic turnaround in fortunes, as Insurance moved from the relegation zone to finish fifth in the league.

The club will now hope that Sunday’s victory represents the beginning of a sustained title push.

Meanwhile, Edo Queens have reached the semi-finals of the CAF Women’s Champions League WAFU-B qualifiers in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, despite suffering their first defeat of the competition against Ghanaian champions Ampem Darkoa Ladies.

The Nigerian champions were beaten 2-1 by Ampem Darkoa on Sunday in their final Group B fixture, ending their perfect start to the tournament.

Edo Queens had taken the lead after 11 minutes through Doosuur Anastasia, but Ampem Darkoa responded immediately after the interval before completing the comeback with 12 minutes remaining.

A dangerous free-kick from Milot Abena Pokuaa created problems inside the Edo Queens penalty area and eventually resulted in an own goal that decided the contest.

Despite the defeat, Edo Queens finished strongly enough to qualify for the last four and will face hosts USFA in Wednesday’s semi-final.

Ampem Darkoa’s victory saw the Ghanaian side finish top of Group B with three wins from three matches, while USFA maintained their unbeaten record with a 5-0 demolition of ASKO de Kara.

The other semi-final will see Ampem Darkoa face FC Dynamique.

Edo Queens had earlier announced themselves as serious contenders with a 7-0 thrashing of AS Garde Nationale before defeating ASEC Mimosas 3-1.

Their loss to Ampem Darkoa denied them top spot but did little to diminish their reputation as one of the tournament’s most dangerous attacking sides.

The Golden Boot race is also finely poised, with Edo Queens forwards Esther Moses and Doosuur Anastasia both on three goals, level with ASEC Mimosas forward Tatiana Kayaba.

Kayaba scored a hat-trick in ASEC’s 5-0 victory over AS Garde Nationale in their final Group B match. However, with the Ivorian side eliminated, the advantage has shifted towards the two Edo Queens forwards, who have another opportunity to increase their goal tallies in the semi-final.

Wednesday’s clash against USFA promises to be a battle between contrasting strengths, with Edo Queens’ attacking firepower set to face the tournament hosts’ defensive discipline.

USFA will enter the encounter unbeaten and buoyed by their commanding group-stage performances, while Edo Queens will be looking to bounce back immediately from their first defeat.

Ampem Darkoa, meanwhile, will start as favourites against FC Dynamique in the other semi-final.

With only four teams remaining, the WAFU-B competition has entered its decisive phase, with two places in the final and a step closer to continental qualification at stake.

The contrasting fortunes of Bendel Insurance and Edo Queens also underline the growing ambitions surrounding football in Edo State, with both clubs now pursuing major honours on the domestic and regional stages.