{
  "id": 13765877,
  "title": "Euromatch NPFL: Bendel Insurance confirm Baba’s return ahead Sporting Lagos clash",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/euromatch-npfl-bendel-insurance-confirm-babas-return-ahead-sporting-13765877",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-11T17:47:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/10/11/euromatch-npfl-bendel-insurance-confirm-babas-return-ahead-sporting-lagos-clash-2/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Bendel Insurance has officially announced the return of goalkeeper Joshua Baba in preparation for their upcoming Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, fixture against Sporting Lagos. The confirmation comes after the club had marked the goalkeeper as absent without official leave (AWOL) for not reporting for duty following an approved recovery period. This absence was a result of an injury Baba sustained during the initial matchday against Warri Wolves at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.\n\nInitially granted a two-week recovery period, Baba visited his family in Plateau State and failed to return to Benin City within the stipulated time frame. However, Bendel Insurance reports that the goalkeeper made an appearance in Lagos on Saturday night and joined the team at its hotel as Benin Arsenal prepared for their impending clash against Sporting Lagos.",
  "summary": "Bendel Insurance have confirmed the return of goalkeeper Joshua Baba ahead of their Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, Matchday 8 fixture against Sporting Lagos. The return comes after the club declared Baba absent without official leave (AWOL) for failing to report for duty after an approved recovery period. The shot-stopper’s absence followed an injury he […] Euromatch NPFL: Bendel…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "Euromatch NPFL: Bendel Insurance confirm Baba’s return ahead Sporting Lagos clash",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/euromatch-npfl-bendel-insurance-confirm-babas-return-ahead-sporting",
        "published": "2026-10-11T07:25:32.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}