Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side, Bendel Insurance, have officially completed the signing and unveiling of 13 players as they are braced to face Rivers United in their first match of the season at home this Sunday.
Former Enyimba striker, Uche Collins, heads the list of new arrivals at the Benin City club alongside his former teammate James Oronsaye.
Other new signings include Kayode Oke from 3SC, goalkeeper Suleiman Solihu from Kwara United, Emmanuel Ugwu from Dakkada FC, Moses Ajiboye from Nasarawa United, Isaac Ajibola from Sporting Lagos, Chinedu Onyinjekwe from Lagos-based Fame FC, Uche Martins from Rangers, Jesse Kelechi from Crown FC, Nazir Mohammed from the team’s academy, Stephen Bekewe from Bayelsa United and Martin Owolija from Tornadoes.
The club have also announced the departure of 13 players.
Top on the list of departures are goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, Kelly Kester, Sunday Anyanwu, Ebuka Akobundu, Sarki Ismael, Chisom Okereke, Junior Osaghae and Divine Nwachukwu.
Others are Paul Obama, Evans Ogbonda, Jude Ebhohon, Chukwudi Meze and Wisdom Stephen.
At the players’ unveiling, the Executive Chairman, Edo State Sports Commission, Yussuf Alli urged the new players to be disciplined and focused as they continue to blend with the old ones so they can play as a formidable team that can make the state proud again.
Alli said he has confidence in the club’s head coach Monday Odigie and his team to make headlines in the new football season. He tasked them to begin the season on a positive note by beating Rivers United on Sunday.