CAF CC: Bendel Insurance upset Algerian ASO Chlef to reach next stage

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigerian Premier Football League side Bendel Insurance scaled the hurdle of North African opponents ASO Chlef of Algeria on penalties to book a place in the second preliminary round of the 2023/2024 CAF Confederations Cup.

The Benin Arsenals had recorded a 1-0 win over the Algerians at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City ahead of the return leg away from home on Saturday.

Insurance goalkeeper, Amas Obasogie put up a superb display to stop a penalty kick in the first half which denied ASO Chlef from taking the lead.

The hosts eventually broke the deadlock before the end of the first half from a rebound inside the box after the visitors defense failed to clear a goal scoring chance.

After the interval, the 2023 Nigeria Federations Cup champions came out in search of the equaliser to no avail as ASO Chlef also tried to score the winning goal to avoid penalties which was not forth coming before full time.

With a 1-1 draw on aggregate after 90 minutes, the game entered lottery of penalties and Monday Odigie’s side won the penalties shoot out by 4-3.

The win ensured that the Nigerian side progressed to the final preliminary round of the Confederations Cup.