2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 34: Bendel Insurance FC welcomes troubled Nasarawa United FC

Posted : 20 April 2025

Arguably, Bendel Insurance FC is the most improved club in the ongoing 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, having gone from relegation-threatened status to a club now chasing a continental ticket.

The turnaround of the Benin Arsenals has been remarkable following the sacking of the enigmatic coach Monday Odigie and the subsequent appointment of assistant coach Greg Ikhenoba.

Now sitting in fifth place with 49 points—just one point off the continental slot—Bendel Insurance is within striking distance of fourth-placed Ikorodu City, who currently have 52 points.

Bendel Insurance will host the struggling Solid Miners, Nasarawa United, under the floodlights in Benin in a clash that could go to the side that wants it more.

While the hosts are battling for continental qualification, the visitors are fighting to avoid relegation.

For the Solid Miners, a recent judgment against them might impact the team's morale.

A ruling, delivered more than four years after the tragic death of Nasarawa United defender Chineme Martins during a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match, was recently handed down against the team.

In a landmark decision, the National Industrial Court of Nigeria found the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Nasarawa United, and the League Management Company (LMC)—which was in charge of the league at the time—guilty of gross negligence that contributed to the young player’s death.

Martins, who was just 23 years old, collapsed on the pitch on March 8, 2020, during a league match at the Lafia Township Stadium and was later pronounced dead.

For Nasarawa United FC, the judgment is a major setback, as they are now required to pay a significant sum in compensation to Martins’ family, as prescribed by law.

Meanwhile, Ikhenoba will look to maintain his impressive run with Bendel Insurance and hope that Ikorodu City FC drops points tomorrow, giving his side the chance to overtake them in the standings.

Head-to-Head

In their last three meetings, both teams share one win each and one draw:

27 Nov 2024: Nasarawa United 2 - 1 Bendel Insurance

21 May 2023: Nasarawa United 1 - 1 Bendel Insurance

15 Feb 2023: Bendel Insurance 1 - 0 Nasarawa United

2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 34: Bendel Insurance FC welcomes troubled Nasarawa United FC

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