Insurance not in NPFL to add numbers, say Omokaro

By Akeem Lawal

BENDEL Insurance captain Charles Omokaro says the Benin-based outfit are not in the Nigeria Professional Football League just to add numbers after playing out a 1-1 draw away to Remo Stars on Sunday.

Omokaro put the visitors ahead in the 54th minute before Victor Mbaoma leveled scores 1- 1 for the home side in the 76^th.to ensure that the Benin Arsenal left the Gateway Stadium with just a point.

Both sides had gained promotion to the elite league following their excellent outing at the Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 8 Playoffs held in Aba with the Benin Arsenal beating the Sky Blues Stars 1-0 in the group stage. Omokaro believes the win in Aba gave his side an edge in Sunday’s encounter.

“It was not an easy game, Remo Stars is a good team no doubt about that. We played cool and discipline and executed our tactics well.

“Meeting them in Aba prepared us for this encounter, we knew their strength and they know our strength. We were not in the same zone in the NNL but playing them in the Super 8 was a good thing. So it was time for us size up ourselves and we thank God we came out victorious,” the veteran forward told Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com.

Omokaro, who said the team is ready to compete with other big teams after returning back to Nigeria topflight after 11 years of languishing in the lower division, believes getting a continental ticket at the end of the season is achieveable.

“Our confidence is back. We are coming to NPFL after 11 years, it’s not an easy job. We know we are not here to add numbers, we are here to stay.

“Getting a continental ticket is achievable because football is eleven against eleven. In as much you have the opportunity and you take it, it is achievable,” Omokaro told Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com.