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By: Abiodun Adewale.
Federation Cup champions, Bendel Insurance, on Tuesday arrived in Casablanca, the capital city of Morocco, ahead of their CAF Confederation Cup second leg preliminary battle with RS Berkane on Friday.
Insurance departed via the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Tuesday morning and touched down at the Mohammed V. International Airport, Casablanca at 1:18pm same day.
Insurance have a mountain to climb in the decisive leg in Morocco after they were forced to a 2-2 draw by RS Berkane at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, in the first leg on Saturday September 16.
Monday Odigie’s side will miss the services of striker Osarenkhoe Imade, who scored their opener in the first leg as well as their other goal in the last round.
The 22-year-old just penned a deal with United Arab Emirates side, United FC.
Despite missing their highest goal scorer from last season, stand-in captain and goalkeeper, Amas Obasigie, echoed the confidence of the team.
“Knowing the honour that awaits us if we beat our opponents to qualify for the group stage, we are going to fight for everything in the field of play to go home happy. We made two mistakes in Benin and will not want a repeat. We are facing very strong opponents who have been champions twice in a space of three years but we will not allow their intimidation to affect our play. They should expect a good fight from us the way they also fought in Benin.
“Above all, we want to fight to win for our state Governor, who has been wonderful in giving his all, in sponsorship and motivation that has taken us thus far both in the domestic league and continental level,” Obasogie said.
The goalkeeper was also crucial to their progress from the first round, saving two penalties – one in open play and another during their clash against ASO Chlef of Algeria.