Bendel Insurance

Bendel Insurance Football Club, also known as Insurance of Benin, is a renowned football club based in Benin City, Nigeria. Established in 1972, the club has a rich history that spans over four decades. It is named after its original sponsor, Bendel Insurance Company Ltd, and is owned by the Edo State Government.

Bendel Insurance FC is celebrated for its contributions to Nigerian football, with a reputation for nurturing young talents who have gone on to represent Nigeria at both national and international levels. The club's youth development program has produced several notable players, including Bright Omokaro and Humphrey Edobor, who have made significant contributions to Nigerian football.

The club has had a successful run in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL), the highest level of the Nigerian football league system. They have won the NPFL title twice, in 1973 and 1979. In addition, they have also won the Nigerian FA Cup three times, in 1972, 1978, and 1980.

Bendel Insurance FC's home games are played at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, a multi-purpose stadium in Benin City. The stadium, named after a former military governor of the Mid-Western State, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, has a capacity of approximately 20,000 spectators.

Despite its successes, Bendel Insurance FC has also faced its share of challenges. The club was relegated from the NPFL in 2008 and spent over a decade in the Nigeria National League (NNL), the second tier of Nigerian football. However, they made a triumphant return to the NPFL in 2019 after finishing in the top two of the NNL.

Over the years, Bendel Insurance FC has maintained a fierce rivalry with Enugu Rangers, one of the most successful football clubs in Nigeria. Matches between the two teams are often highly anticipated and draw large crowds, adding to the excitement and competitiveness of the NPFL.

The club's colors are green and yellow, and their emblem features a football and a shield, symbolizing defense and protection, in line with the club's name and its insurance company origins.

In recent years, Bendel Insurance FC has been working hard to regain its former glory. The club's management, players, and fans remain committed to achieving success and making a significant impact on Nigerian football. Despite the ups and downs, Bendel Insurance FC continues to be a symbol of resilience and determination, embodying the spirit of Nigerian football.