NPFL: Bendel Insurance suspend coach over poor start to season” />
By Emmanuel Okogba
Bendel Insurance Football Club has taken the decision to suspend their head coach, Greg Ikhenoba, following a disappointing beginning to the 2025/26 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) campaign.
After securing only a single victory in seven league outings, the team’s struggles culminated in a narrow 1-0 defeat at home against Nasarawa United. This poor run has left Bendel Insurance languishing in 16th place on the NPFL standings.
In response to the underwhelming results, Honorable Amadin Desmond Enabulele, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, authorized the suspension of Ikhenoba effective Monday, October 6, 2025.
During this transitional period, the club’s Director of Media and Communications, Kehinde Osagiede, confirmed that Coach Baldwin Bazuaye, MON, has been appointed to oversee the team’s technical operations until further notice from the Commission.
Hon. Enabulele emphasized the Commission’s dedication to revitalizing Bendel Insurance’s competitive stature and reaffirmed their ambition to restore the club’s status as one of Nigeria’s premier football teams.
The club management has assured supporters that strategic steps are underway to enhance the squad’s performance in upcoming matches.
The official statement from the Edo State Sports Commission reads: “The Executive Chairman, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has sanctioned the suspension of Bendel Insurance Football Club’s Head Coach, Greg Ikhenoba, effective Monday, October 6, 2025.
This decision follows the team’s unsatisfactory results this season, including the recent 1-0 loss to Nasarawa United at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium during matchday seven of the NPFL.
Furthermore, Hon. Enabulele has instructed Coach Baldwin Bazuaye, MON, to assume leadership of the club’s technical staff until further directives are issued.”