Bendel Insurance Football Club triumphed over Westgate FC with a 2-0 victory on Sunday, 2026, securing the Edo State President Federation Cup title back-to-back.
The Benin Arsenals’ goals came from Alex Oweifaleya and Kayode Oke, who found the net in the 10th and 88th minutes respectively. Oweifaleya’s opener was set up by Yazid Adamu, whose trademark curled cross from the left flank allowed Oweifaleya to deliver a clinical header.
While Westgate FC, the newcomers, displayed commendable teamwork and determination, the defending champions proved too resilient for them to overcome.
In the 81st minute, Westgate FC gained a numerical advantage when Bendel Insurance captain Efe Enabulele was sent off for dissent. Despite expectations that Westgate would capitalise on this advantage, Insurance’s manager, Kennedy Boboye, swiftly implemented a tactical adjustment. He replaced Anyanwu Promise with the experienced right-back Stanley Okorom, allowing Kayode Oke to operate as a lone striker. Just seven minutes later, Oke seized on a defensive error from Westgate FC to slot the ball into an empty net, sealing the victory for the Benin Arsenals.
Both teams had already qualified as Edo State representatives for the national stage of the competition prior to this match. Bendel Insurance FC is the most decorated club in the state, having won the Edo FA Cup continuously since 2019. They also claimed the national FA Cup title in 2023 and have won it three times since its inception, alongside two league championships.
On their journey to the 2026 FA Cup finals, Bendel Insurance overcame Delight FC 2-1 in the quarter-finals and thrashed St. Andrews FC 3-0 in the semi-finals. Westgate FC, for their part, defeated Namo FC 3-2 and edged out Benin Warriors in the quarter-finals, before overcoming Ine Stars 1-0 in the semi-finals.
In a highlight of the closing ceremony at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, young striker Alex Oweifaleya was awarded the title of Most Valuable Player of the Tournament.
In a post-match interview, Bendel Insurance’s head coach and technical manager, Kennedy Boboye, praised Westgate FC for their commendable performance. “I must commend our opponents, Westgate FC. They played excellent football and were compact, dictating the pace in the second half. The two goals are the only difference between the sides. I also want to congratulate my boys for their resilience and for taking the chances we created. It would have been a different story had we failed to convert those opportunities,” he said.
Looking ahead to the President Federation Cup, Coach Boboye expressed his intent to strengthen the team further, voicing his satisfaction at securing his first trophy with the Benin Arsenals.
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