The Executive Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has commended the Nigerian Ambassador to Algeria, Her Excellency, Ambassador Aisha M. Garba for the warm reception and support she accorded Bendel Insurance Football Club during their stay in the North African country for the 2023/24 CAF Confederation Cup competition against ASO Chlef.
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Governor Obaseki expressed his appreciation through his Consultant on Sports Dr. Kweku Tandoh during the team’s appreciation visit to the Nigerian Embassy in Hidra, Sidi Yahia, Algeria, on Sunday. Governor Obaseki thanked the Ambassador for her kind gesture, describing her as a patriotic and professional caring mother to the team.
Bendel Insurance arrived in the Algerian state capital, Algiers on Friday afternoon to the warm embrace of Ambassador Aisha Garba at the International Airport.
The Nigerian Ambassador and her entourage led the Benin Arsenals contingent to their hotel. The Ambassador again visited the team on Saturday afternoon before the match when she assured them of support throughout their stay and during their match against ASO Chlef in Algiers.
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The Ambassador in her further display of rare humility and patriotism, mobilized a good number of Nigerian residents in Algeria to support Bendel Insurance during their CAF Confederation Cup match against ASO Chlef of Algeria which Insurance won 4-3 on penalties to advance to the second round of the competition.
Aisha Garba, on Sunday afternoon also played host to the victorious Bendel Insurance FC at the Nigeria Embassy.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Ambassador Aisha Gabar has commended the Edo state Governor Mr Godwin Obaseki for matching words with action, making Bendel Insurance great again.
The Ambassador made the commendation in a remark during Bendel Insurance FC’s visit to her at the Nigerian Embassy In Algiers.
The Ambassador said that Insurance FC made her proud yesterday with their show of resilience and determination that eventually gave them victory over highly experienced ASO Chlef who enjoyed massive support from Algiers football fans.
” I was on top of the world yesterday when we won the game. The mood was like when your child was selected for an international award. I returned home happy and was excited for the success of the team.”
According to her, the success of Bendel Insurance in the past four years is a testament to the commitment and pragmatism of Governor Godwin Obaseki. She noted that Bendel Insurance FC is a national asset that must be preserved and thanked the Edo state Governor for his visionary leadership and conscious investment in the club.
The former Nigerian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Morocco, and Niger Republic however advised that the team be strengthened with the acquisition of more experienced players, while also suggesting that more friendly matches, especially with big teams outside the country be organised to further make them a force to reckon with.
In his remarks, the Head coach and Technical Director of Bendel Insurance FC, Mr. Monday Odigie, thanked Ambassador Aisha Gabar for the warm reception and courtesies she accorded the Bendel Insurance FC team.
