TheCable

Bendel Insurance have advanced into the next qualifying phase of the CAF Confederations Cup after defeating ASO Chief 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 aggregate stalemate.

The second leg of the first qualifying round finished 1-0 at the Salem Mabrouki Stadium in Algeria on Saturday, cancelling Insurance’s first-leg win by a similar scoreline.

The Algerian club began the second leg — at home — on the attack but could not penetrate until they were awarded a penalty on 31 minutes. Amas Obasogie, the Bendel Insurance goalkeeper, however, saved the spot kick.

The home side eventually took the lead ten minutes later with a flicked goal from a deflected low cross.

Insurance stood toe-to-toe with their hosts in the second half and were also saved by poor finishing late on to force penalties.

While Paul Obata hit the crossbar to miss Insurance’s third kick, Obasogie saved ASO Chief’s fourth kick as the fifth taker could only hit the crossbar, sending the entire Bendel insurance contingent into wild celebrations on their host’s pitch.

The win continues Benin Arsenal’s record of never losing a first-round match in continental competitions, the latest being the sixth first-round triumph.

The Monday Odigie-led side will face Morocco’s RS Berkane in the next round for a place in the lucrative group stage of the competition.