Bendel Insurance Walk Tight Rope Again, Held 2-2 By Morocco’s RS Berkane 

Adibe Emenyonu  in Benin City

Bendel Insurance FC of Benin City were yesterday evening. held 2-2 by visiting Morocco’s RS Berkane in the second preliminary stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.

The draw result at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City has now put Insurance in a precarious situation in their bid to qualify for the money spinning group stage of the second tier CAF  competition. Both teams will play the reverse fixture in Morocco in a fortnight.

Top marksman Imade Osarenkhoe’s gave the hosts the lead two minutes before the half hour mark.

The tall striker slotted the ball into the net after RS Berkane goalkeeper spilled Benjamin Tanimu’s shot.

Hamza El Moussaoui equalised for the visitors in the 38th minute.

But the Benin Arsenal regained the lead through substitute Vincent Augustus five minutes after the hour mark.

RS Berkane however fought back and levelled for the second time in the game through Mohamed El Morabit.

The visitors who defied the calamity caused by the earthquake in the North African country to come to Nigeria for the  CAF Confederation Cup second round clash with Bendel Insurance dominate the larger part of the first half before Osarenkhoe opening goal.

The Nigeria’s side came into the second half more impressive and their efforts paid off in the 61st minute through  Augustus, who extended the tally to 2-1 in favour of the homers.

Bendel Insurance were, however, punished for coming all out to chase more goal with a counter-attack that earned RS Berkane their second equaliser in the 78th minute through  El Morabit to end the match in stalemate.

Heavy downpour that lasted for most part of the second half of the game obviously affected the running of the two teams as the field became waterlogged.

The reverse fixture will take place at the Berkane Municipal Stadium in a fortnight.

Today in Yamoussoukro, Nigeria’s other team in the competition, Rivers United will battle Burkina Faso’s Etoile Filante Ouagadougou in the Ivorian city.