CAF Cup: Bendel Insurance Pip ASO Chlef By a Lone Goal

 

         Tension in Benin: Bendel Insurance Tackle                 ASO of Algeria

Hendrix Oliomogbe 

Bendel Insurance FC of Benin on Saturday at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium defeated  visiting AS Olympic Chlef (ASO) of Algeria by a lone goal in the first leg of the 2023/2024 CAF Confederation Cup.

A goal in the 42 minute by Imade Osarenkhoe earned the Arsenal of Benin as Insurance are fondly called victory ahead of their return leg on August 27 in Algeria.

The home team had wasted three clear chances within the first 30 minutes of play before forward, Osarenkhoe connected a well taken free kick by Sunday Anyanwu to put them ahead.

Abdurrahim Hamra of AS Chlef received the first yellow card in the match for roughly obstructing Zaidu Ayuba of Insurance at the centre of the field resulting in a foul which the home team scored.

Gape Mohutsiwa of the visiting club received the second booking of the game for rough tackle shortly before the referee whistle sounded for half time.

The second half resumed with Benin Arsenal mounting pressure in a desperate attempt at consolidating on their one goal advantage but were matched by the visitors who stepped up their game and became more tactical.

Their efforts nearly paid off as Sarki Ismael of Bendel Insurance came close to another goal in 62 minutes but his nod slightly went over the goal post.

In a post match interview, Coach Monday Odigie of Bendel Insurance assured that his team will improve on goal scoring before the return leg in Algeria as they seek to consolidate and qualify for the second round of the competition.