CAF Cup: Insurance fails to fly in spite of government's mobilization for support

Obaseki with players of Insurance during a match at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium

By Editor

Sept 19, 2023

It was a classical display of mastery of leather game at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium,weekend as the Renaissance Sportive de Berkane (RSB) of Morocco pipped Bendel Insurance Football Club  2-2 draw.

DailyMonitorngr reports that the march was a Second Round of the 2023/24 CAF Confederation Cup preliminary stage.

The Bendel Insurance had  August 19 during the first round of the preliminary stage defeated  Aso Chlef of Algeria 1-0 in Benin city and 4-3 at a penalty shootout during the second leg after  the Algeria club defeated the Benin Arsenal 1-0.

The game was played on August 26, 2023  at Mabrouki Salem Stadium in Algeria by the same margin to end the game on 1-1 aggregate.

The hosts scored the only goal of the match after 41 minutes to force the game into penalties.

The defeat of the Algeria club pitched the Insurance with the Morroca club in a second round of the preliminary stage in which the Nigeria host draw 2-2 with its North Africa country counterpart.

At the excited game which was witnessed by thousands of spectators at the 12,000 stadium capacity, the Edo based club failed to lift up to the peoples' expectations, in spite of the   massive mobilization of supporters for the club by the state government.

Obaseki with players of Insurance during a match at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium

The poor state of the football pitch which was waterlogged as a result of the heavy down pour, does both team no good.

In spite of it, the  Lkarma Amine tutored Morrocans lads  displayed classical leather game as they did everything possible to secure away draw, which might be disastrous to the Insurance in the return leg if the host repeat the dexterity and mastery of the game.

There is no denying the fact, that the  Lkarma Amine's lads moral will be boosted by home fans will and the spirit spirit of home advantage.

In the 28th minutes of played the Insurance through his talisman, Imade Osarenkhoe, jersey 22,  netted a goal to electrify the stadium after latching on a rebound from Benjamin Tanimu's shot.

The fans' joy was, however, short lived as the Lkarma Amine coach lads within 10th minutes (39th minute) equalized through Hamza El Moussaoui, Jersey 19,  following a poor clearance by Bendel Insurance defenders.

The two goals were scored by both team at first time with a goal apiece.

At the second half, the Insurance at 60th minutes scored a second goal through Vincent Augustus, jersey 24, and a substitute, after collecting Imade Osarenkhoe's cross.

Vincent's goal which would have gave the celebrating fans much hope, was however, dashed as within 17th minutes of the goal, Mohamed El Morabit, jersey 10  for the visiting team equalized.

Morabit's equalizing goal at 78th minutes  was greeted with mixed feelings and reactions by fans, who condemned the coaching team of not being technical enough to make the necessary substitution as well as players not being serious to put in their best.

In the course of the game, particularly at the first half the Insurance received  two yellows and several fouls while the Morocco side got a yellow card and fewer fouls.

The Monday Odigie boys will be  guests to the Renaissance de Sportive in the second leg of the CAF competition on September 29 in Morocco.

In a post march interview, the Bendel Insurance Head Coach, Monday Odigie expressed  optimism that better result is possible at the return leg in Morroco.

Odigie who noted that the performance of his team was his priority added that playing well against a tactically disciplined and experienced Moroccan team who won the CAF Confederation Cup last year is enough consolation.

"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",he assured.

On his part, the coach of Renaissance Sportive de Berkane, LKarma Amine  said that his boys played like men.

"We did a good job and I am satisfied with the result",he stated.

Edo state government had mobilized sports enthusiasts, very important personalities, critical stakeholders in sport industry to the stadium to give the team maximum moral and kind supports.

Several buses from the state-owned transport services were deployed to strategic locations within the Benin metropolis to convey supporters free to and from the venue of the march while about 15,000 tickets and jerseys were given free to supporters.

Sport analysts are of the view that the 4-4-2 formation of the Insurance  coach will be further tested at the September 29 second leg of the competition in Morocco.

Will the formation help the club to secure a draw or win the match?

Insurance needs a win or a draw greater than 2-2. The Benin Arsenal will need to pull a draw like 3-3 or 4-4 and so on. If by peradventure, it secures a draw 2-2, there will be a replay of penalty shootout like in the case of ASO Chlef of Algeria.

On the other hand, will the 4-3-3 formation of the Renaissance Sportive de Berkane, be further sustained and work upon by the host to outdo the visiting team to qualify for the group stage?

 

In the return leg, RS Berkane needs a 0-0 or 1-1 draw to qualify. Of course if they win, they also advance. If they play 2-2 again, penalties will be needed.

These are some of the puzzles fans will be putting together as the second leg comes up next week in Morocco.