Bendel Insurance FC of Benin and RS Berkane of Morocco faced off in the second preliminary stage of the CAF Confederation Cup at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, resulting in a 2-2 draw.
A moment of silence was observed before the game to pay respects to the victims of the recent earthquakes in Morocco.
Imade Osarenkhoe of Insurance made a strong effort to score early on but was denied a penalty by the centre referee.
Adhil Tahif of RS Berkane also had a chance to score after five minutes but was quickly stopped by the hosts.
During the first half, RS Berkane dominated the majority of the game until Osarenkhoe scored in the 27th minute, giving the hosts a lead.
However, Youssef Zghoudi equalised for the visitors ten minutes later, resulting in a tied game at halftime.
During the second half, Bendel Insurance made a comeback with Vincent Augustus scoring in the 61st minute, bringing the tally to 2-1 in favour of the home team.
Despite heavy rainfall and a waterlogged field, both teams continued to play. In the 78th minute, RS Berkane counter-attacked and managed to tie the game once again with a goal from Mohammed El Morabit, resulting in a stalemate.
To qualify for the group stage, Insurance must win in Morocco or achieve a better result if they settle for another draw.
Unfortunately, the chances of Nigeria’s Federation Cup champions, Bendel Insurance, reaching the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup appear slim after playing to a 2-2 draw against RS Berkane at home.
The Nigerian side advanced to the second round after defeating ASO Chlef of Algeria in the first preliminary round.
Playing in front of their fans, Bendel Insurance opened the scoring early in the game.
However, RS Berkane levelled the game in the 39th minute with a goal from Hamza Moussaoui and the first half ended in a 1-1 draw.
Augustus Vincent put the hosts ahead again in the 60th minute but lost focus in the 78th minute, allowing Berkane to tie the game once again with a goal from Mohammed Hambt.
Despite all efforts by the Nigerian team to secure the winning goal, the game ended in a 2-2 draw. Bendel Insurance must win or secure a high-scoring draw in Morocco to have any chance of progressing to the group stage of the competition.
