Bendel Insurance FC of Benin on Saturday defeated visiting AS Olympic Chlef of Algeria 1-0 in the first leg of their first round clash of the 2023/24 CAF Confederation Cup.
Striker Imade Osarenkhoe grabbed the winner inside the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in the 42nd minute, ahead of the return leg on August 27 in Algeria.
Insurance wasted three chances in the first 30 minutes, before Osarenkhoe connected Sunday Anyaneu’s free kick to give the Nigerian side the lead and send fans at the packed stadium into rapturous celebrations.
Abdurrahim Hamra of ASO received the first yellow card of the match for rough play on Zaidu Ayuba, with the resultant free kick leading to the goal.
The second half resumed with Insurance picking up from their first half performance, but were matched by the visitors, who stepped up their game and became more tactical
Notwithstanding, Sarki Ismael came close to doubling the tally for the hosts after 62 minutes, but his header went just over the goal post.
In the post-match interview, Insurance coach Monday Odigie said his team would work on their goal scoring before the return leg.
ASO Chlef defended well and remained compact for the entire second period, making sure they conceded no further goals as the match ended 1-0 in favour of the home side.
The Benin Arsenal will take a slender lead to Algeria for the second leg which promises to be a daunting 90 minutes affair for the Nigerians.
It is worth mentioning that Nigerian clubs have found it difficult in their visits to North Africa. As a matter of fact, the North African teams have dominated NPFL clubs in almost every visit to their region in the past years.
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