Bendel Insurance Welcome Austin Osayande Back Home for 2025/26 NPFL Season

Bendel Insurance have confirmed the signing of midfielder Austin Osayande ahead of the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) campaign.

The Benin Arsenals unveiled Osayande at a brief ceremony on Friday, describing his return in poetic fashion: “The creative spark returns, rising from the heart of Rivers United’s midfield to the soul of Benin City. The son of the soil is back.”

Osayande joins from Rivers United, where he made just two appearances last season. For Bendel Insurance, however, the signing feels like more than just an addition to the squad — it’s the return of a local talent with something to prove.

TalkTalk Nigeria recalls that the club has also bolstered their squad with the addition of Israel Emmanuel as they prepare for the new season.

Opinion:
For Bendel Insurance, bringing Osayande back is a move that blends strategy with sentiment. On paper, his limited game time at Rivers United might raise eyebrows, but sometimes a player’s true spark shines brightest in familiar surroundings.

Homecomings in football often carry an extra layer of motivation — the roar of a home crowd, the pride of representing one’s city, and the desire to silence doubters. If Osayande can channel that energy into performances on the pitch, the Benin Arsenals may have secured more than just a midfielder — they may have reignited a local hero’s career.

And for NPFL fans, there’s something beautiful about seeing “the son of the soil” wearing the home colours again.