From Moshood Karim
The long-awaited 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season kicks off this weekend, and Bendel Insurance FC of Benin have touched down in Maiduguri ahead of their curtain-raiser against Elkanemi Warriors.
The Benin Arsenals arrived in the Borno State capital on Thursday afternoon with a 28-man contingent comprising 20 players and eight officials. Their NPFL Match Day 1 clash is billed for Sunday, 24 August, at 4pm inside the Elkanemi Stadium.
The team began their journey from Lagos at dawn, flying into Abuja aboard United Nigeria Airlines before connecting on MaxAir’s Boeing 737 to Maiduguri, where they landed at 12:50pm.
Insurance head coach, Greg Ikhenoba, and General Manager, Charles Ihimekpen, expressed gratitude to Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, for prioritising the welfare of the players ahead of the new campaign.
Ikhenoba assured Edo people that the team would repay the government’s support with loyalty and dedication on the pitch.
Insurance head into the season brimming with confidence, having gone unbeaten to lift the Bayelsa Preseason Tournament. Fans in Edo are already anticipating fireworks as the Arsenals host arch-rivals Shooting Stars SC of Ibadan next week in Benin City.
After Sunday’s opener in Maiduguri, Insurance will remain on the road with another northern away tie against newly promoted Barau FC of Kano before returning home for the first big derby of the season.
Get a premium automobile insurance coverage for your vehicle for as low as #15000 only and claim up to #3,000,000 in damages @Zenith Insurance To signup: WhatsApp/Call: +2349028313757
