Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin have landed in Maiduguri, Borno State, ahead of their opening Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Match Day 1 clash against Elkanemi Warriors FC.
The highly anticipated fixture is scheduled for Sunday, August 24, 2025, at the Elkanemi Stadium, Maiduguri, with kickoff set for 4 p.m.
The Benin Arsenals departed Lagos on Thursday morning aboard a United Nigeria Airlines flight to Abuja before connecting to Maiduguri on MaxAir Boeing 737-300/500. The 28-man delegation, comprising 20 players and eight officials, touched down at Maiduguri International Airport around 1 p.m.
General Manager, Charles Ihimekpen, and Head Coach, Greg Ikhenoba, expressed gratitude to Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, for prioritizing the welfare of the team. Coach Ikhenoba further assured Edo people of the team’s commitment and hard work in the new season.
Insurance, fresh off winning the Bayelsa Preseason Tournament unbeaten, are tipped as strong contenders for the title. After Sunday’s clash in Maiduguri, the Benin Arsenals will travel to Kano for a Match Day 2 encounter against newly promoted Barau FC, before returning home to face arch-rivals Shooting Stars SC of Ibadan in Benin.
