Bendel Insurance made a triumphant return to the continental scene after several years of absence. They welcomed their Algerian counterparts, ASO Chlef, to the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin City for the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup group stage preliminary round.
In a thrilling match, Benin Arsenal emerged victorious with a lone goal, setting the stage for an exciting second leg in Algeria in two weeks.
After a period of adaptation, the Benin team increased the pressure and scored the decisive goal just three minutes before halftime.
Imade Osarenkhoe, the ever-reliable forward, displayed great determination as he bundled in a floating free-kick that bounced towards the back post. The Insurance players celebrated wildly, while ASO Chlef’s appeals to the referee went unanswered.
Although Bendel Insurance couldn’t find a second gear in the second half, they did enough to maintain their slender victory heading into the second leg.
The upcoming match will take place on August 26 at Algiers’ Stade Mabrouki Salem, with the winner on aggregate advancing to face 2022 CAF Confederation Cup Champions, RS Berkane, in the second round.
It’s worth noting that both Bendel Insurance and ASO Chlef took similar paths to earn their continental tickets.
After a flawless abridged season, Bendel Insurance secured a spot in the FA Cup and defeated Enugu Rangers in the final to earn their place. ASO Chlef, on the other hand, finished sixth in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1 but won the league cup, granting them a spot at the continental table for the first time in over a decade.
