Bendel Insurance chairman targets NPFL title in 2026/27 season

Jarrett Tenebe, chairman of Bendel Insurance, expressed strong confidence that the Benin Arsenals can finally secure the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title in the 2026/27 season, ending a 47-year wait for the club.

Tenebe shared his optimism while speaking to journalists ahead of Edo Queens’ CAF Women’s Champions League WAFU B campaign in Burkina Faso. He asserted that the club's thorough preparations have positioned them to mount a serious challenge for the championship. Bendel Insurance is scheduled to kick off its NPFL27 season on Sunday, August 30, against Warri Wolves at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.

The club, which previously won the topflight title in 1973 and 1979, has finished fifth in the league for the past two seasons. Tenebe believes that enhanced recruitment strategies, diligent preparations, and improved player incentives will significantly bolster the team's prospects of claiming a third league crown.

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When I joined Bendel Insurance FC last year as chairman of the club, they were at the bottom of the table. The first thing I did was to tie a certain amount of money to every goal scored. Each goal actually attracted a reasonable amount of money, and that changed everything.

Recalling his tenure, Tenebe noted that goal-scoring was a significant weakness upon his arrival as chairman last season. To address this, he introduced financial rewards for each goal scored. "When I joined Bendel Insurance FC last year as chairman of the club, they were at the bottom of the table," Tenebe said. "The first thing I did was to tie a certain amount of money to every goal scored. Each goal actually attracted a reasonable amount of money, and that changed everything."

He attributed the team's improved performance and strong finish last season, which narrowly missed continental qualification, to this incentive program. "I’m happy the strategy worked for us, and we almost secured a place on the continent. I have the confidence that we are going to get it right this time with the preparations we have made," he added. This renewed enthusiasm coincides with progress in Edo State's football scene, notably Edo Queens' success in the CAF Women’s Champions League WAFU B qualifiers.

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I’m happy the strategy worked for us, and we almost secured a place on the continent. I have the confidence that we are going to get it right this time with the preparations we have made.