Bendel Insurance F.C.

Did You Know?

• The club won the CAF Cup in 1994.
• Peter Odemwingie scored 19 goals in 53 games for Bendel Insurance FC.

History

Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia created Bendel Insurance, which became one of the founding members of the Nigerian Premier League in 1972. A management dispute over control of the team delayed the first month of the 2007–08 season, leading to two different clubs claiming the name Insurance. The team finished in last place that season and was relegated from the top level for the first time in its history. In August 2008, the Edo State government took control after the ownership crisis was settled, and the name officially reverted to Bendel Insurance Football Club. Financial problems persisted; in February 2009 the club was temporarily banned from using its stadium because it did not meet league standards, and in March it was among eight teams threatened with suspension due to a backlog of debts and fines. Crowd trouble during a 1–1 tie against Shooting Stars FC ended the team's promotion chances and forced its final home game of the season to be played in Ilorin, North Central Nigeria. After more than ten years in lower divisions, Bendel Insurance was promoted to the top flight for the 2019 season but was relegated to the NNL after just one season. The club won promotion back to the NPFL on the penultimate day of the 2022 season.