By Nelson Dafe, Benin City on May 10, 2016

Bendel Insurance FC of Benin City are intensifying preparations for the National Division 1 League season. Following the disappointment of not qualifying for the national Federation Cup after they fell to BJ FC in the quarter-finals of the Edo Challenge Cup, the Edo State Sports Ministry has taken steps to ensure that the club returns to the elite division of Nigerian football, which is the Premier League.

To this end, the club has seen a number of changes in its playing staff as some players have been dropped and the coaches have decided to approach the season with a more youthful and energetic side.

One young player who is benefiting from this change of direction is exciting creative midfielder Emmanuel Iyogun. The skillful lad was in the team last year when he featured in a couple of games as a trialist. He impressed with his dynamism, laced with good dribbling and passing technique, leading Insurance to hand him a proper contract this season.

“I am very happy and proud that I am in the team and my game is improving by the day. We recently did some shooting drills and the coach was very impressed with my performance and in two-sided games too,” Iyogun told Daily Sports.

The midfielder revealed some of the positive moves of the state’s sports ministry to motivate the players and give Insurance a more professional outlook.

“The sports ministry is doing well for us now. I’m very happy that it’s during my time that Insurance started giving personal training kits for players. Even if you leave the team they belong to you. Our names are on them too,” Iyogun added.

Daily Sports also gathered that the players’ salaries have been increased and their pay would be coming in tandem with those of other civil servants while three sets of jerseys, tracksuits and more training kits are being brought from China to the club.

To further underline the club’s drive to get the best young talents to represent Insurance in the coming season, the club has secured on loan four players from the state’s leading grassroots club, BJ FC.

Defenders Terry Igiebor and Abraham Odianose alongside midfielders Moses Kalu and Michael Enaruna have agreed to join Insurance for the season.

Iyogun, who used to play at BJ with these players, is happy to be reunited with his former team mates.

He said: “First I must commend their courage to take up the challenge and come to play for Bendel Insurance . . . And it also makes me feel relaxed too to know that I will be playing with guys I once played with at the youth level. I think that understanding the team lacks will start to come in now. It means a lot to me and I am very happy they are here with me. The blending from youth that we had will soon start to show.”

Daily Sports reports that Insurance will kick off their division one season later this month with an away fixture against Delta State outfit J. Attete FC.

•Photo shows Insurance prospect Iyogun (right) in Bendel Insurance team bus.

Source Daily Sports

Posted May 10, 2016

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