Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) club Bendel Insurance FC were held to a 2-2 draw against RS Berkane of Morocco in the second preliminary stage of the CAF Confederation Cup on Saturday, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, Edo State.
The continental match kicked with a minute silence observed in honour of the victims of the recent earthquakes in Morocco.
RS Berkane started stronger but Insurance opened the scoring through Imade Osarenkhoe’s rebound in the 27th minute. However, Youssef Zghoudi equalised 10 minutes later for the visitors.
In the second half, Bendel Insurance came out with a point to prove as Vincent Augustus extended the lead for the Nigerians in the 61st minute, making the scores 2-1.
The Moroccans were determined to leave with at least a point in Benin as Mohammed El Morabit equalised for RS Berkane in the 78th minute. The match ended in a 2-2 stalemate.
Full Time!
Not the way we wanted it, but we live to fight another day.
Bendel Insurance 2-2 RS Berkane.#CAFCC#BINRSB pic.twitter.com/kkpFDIY0qD
— Bendel Insurance FC Official (@BendelInsurance) September 16, 2023
To qualify for the group stage, Bendel Insurance need a win in Morocco or a better this result if they are to settle for another draw.
The second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary will be in Berkane, later in September.
Saturday’s CAF Confederation Cup results
Arta/Solar7 2-0 Zamalek
Ferroviario Maputo 1-0 Sagrada Esperanca
Bendel Insurance 2-2 RD Berkane
Sekhukhune United 3-1 FC Saint Eloi Lupopo
Gaborone 1-1 Supersport United.
