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In a dramatic turn of events, the Edo State Government has taken over the sponsorship of Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin from Sterling Bank Plc, a move that has sparked outrage among fans and football observers following the sale of 22 players and the club’s dismal run of form.
The takeover, announced by the Edo Sports Commission, at the unveiling of new jerseys for the club with Edo State Government branding, comes amid growing discontent within the club after management dismissed nearly two dozen players in what it described as a “performance restructuring exercise.”
However, insiders and supporters have condemned the decision as ill-timed and poorly managed, accusing the Commission of destabilizing the club and eroding the gains made under Sterling Bank’s sponsorship.
"These were players who gave their best to the club. Many were still under valid contracts, yet they were thrown out overnight,” said a source close to the team who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“Now, the new players can’t even win home matches. It’s embarrassing."
Under Sterling Bank’s sponsorship, Bendel Insurance FC enjoyed relative financial stability and had shown flashes of competitiveness in the national league. But since the government takeover, the club has struggled to find its footing, failing to record a single home victory this season, a situation that has enraged fans across the state.
"We can’t understand what’s happening,” lamented a lifelong supporter, Osagie Imasuen. “The team used to have fighting spirit, but this new management has drained the soul out of the club. They’ve turned our pride into a joke.”
On social media and sports radio programmes in Benin City, the backlash has been intense, with many accusing the government of turning the club into a political project rather than a professional football institution.
Sports analysts have also raised concerns about the abrupt termination of Sterling Bank’s sponsorship deal, describing it as a setback for professionalism in sports administration.
“Sterling Bank’s involvement brought transparency, structure, and discipline,” said veteran sports journalist Rita Asemota. “Now, the club is back in the hands of bureaucrats who are more interested in control than results.”
A supporter for the club, Henry Ogbebor described the ongoing turmoil as “chaos disguised as reform,” warning that the club risks sliding into irrelevance if the current approach continues.
He noted, “You don’t rebuild a team by sacking 22 players mid-season and cutting ties with a corporate sponsor that was working.The government needs to stop playing politics with football.”
As the crisis deepens, fans are calling on the Edo State Government to revisit its decisions and restore stability to the club before Bende Insurance’s proud legacy suffers further damage.
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