Bendel Insurance drop out of Championship race

BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

The beautiful run by Bendel Insurance has finally come to an end. With three points, they are out of the race for the championship which they last won in the amateurs years in 1979.

They had played the season and had an unbeaten streak of 21 league matches, a feat Enugu Rangers had across all national competitions from 1973 to 1975 and further extended by the defunct Leventis United of Ibadan who for three seasons were unbeaten and had been the only Nigerian club with three straight title in three different divisions.

But the end came to championship ambition of Bendel Insurance whose hope of continental ticket is now limited to the CAF Confederation Cup.

That is achievable if they could beat Remo Stars on Sunday. But it has to be a massive win of 3-0 to realise that dream.

The option is to concentrate on picking the CAF Confederation Cup through the winning of Federation Cup against Enugu Rangers on Wednesday 21 June in Asaba.

As for both Sunshine Stars and Lobi Stars, their stars are already dimmed as they can not get to the top three, no matter the result they get in their direct confrontation on Sunday.

The encounter, a dead rubber is no more than losers’ match. Only Lobi Stars have not scored any goal so far. Scoring on Sunday may be an achievement.

Day 5: June 11th

• Sunshine Stars Vs Lobi Stars – 2pm
• Remo Stars Vs Bendel Insurance – 4pm
• Enyimba FC Vs Rivers United – 6pm