Edo sports commission boss urges commitments

NPFL 27 Preview: Edo Sports Commission Boss Urges Commitment as Bendel Insurance Host Barau FC Bendel Insurance FC will be looking to return to winning ways when they host FC Barau in one of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 7 fixtures on Sunday. The Matchday 7 encounter is scheduled to kick off at 4:00 p.m. at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City. Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has urged the players and coaches of the Benin Arsenals to remain focused and committed to achieving the target set by the club's management- finishing among the top three teams at the end of the season. Enabulele made it clear to the coaching crew, led by Kennedy Boboye, and the team's key players that anything short of a top-three finish this season would be considered a poor result by management. He stressed that Bendel Insurance must improve on the fifth-place finishes they recorded in the last two consecutive seasons. The Edo State Sports Commission boss spoke during a brief meeting with the team before their final training session at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Friday afternoon, ahead of Sunday's clash with FC Barau. He maintained that with discipline and determination, the team is capable of achieving its primary objectives in the NPFL this season, despite their recent 3-0 defeat to Abia Warriors in Aba on Matchday 6. Reflecting on the heavy defeat, Enabulele described the result as humiliating but remained optimistic about the remainder of the campaign. He encouraged the players to put the 3-0 defeat in Aba behind them and use Sunday's home fixture against Barau FC as an opportunity to return to winning ways. “I am a goal getter and I don't settle for being close to hitting my targets. I want you to go for goals. I want to know exactly what is wrong that we have not gotten any results away from home, not even a draw in the three matches played outside this season. “If there is anything you people want that's within our powers for you to get it right, let us know. I am not comfortable with the way things are going and expect improvement. “There should be no excuse on Sunday. Go out there and give us three points against Barau FC and do more in away matches to put us in the proper place. “I'm optimistic that Bendel Insurance will make a positive impact in the NPFL this season. Please, don't make it a mere wish.” The Benin Arsenals face a formidable Barau FC side that boasts an unbeaten run in the league. Bendel Insurance currently occupy eighth position with nine points from six matches, while visiting Barau FC sit third with 12 points. The northern side are yet to taste defeat this season. The two teams last met during the 2025/26 season, with the encounter at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium ending in a goalless stalemate after a1-1 draw in the first round meeting in Kano. With both sides looking to strengthen their positions on the table, Sunday's encounter promises to be a closely contested Matchday 7 fixture in Benin City.