A late first-half penalty kick converted by Bendel Insurance’s prolific striker, Imade Osarenkhoe, after a suspected handball incident, ensured that the ‘Flying Antelopes’, Rangers International F.C, who played the entire second with a man down, surrendered its ambition of winning the national Federation Cup the 7th time.
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Playing inside the magnificent, Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, the Abdul Maikaba tutored side rebuffed all attacks thrown at it in the early part of the game with Detan Ogundare making over four saves while there were two goal-line clearances as the coach Monday Odigie’s side was the fastest off the block.
Coach Maikaba kept faith with the squad that dispatched Plateau United in the semi-final and the quartet of Uche John, Ebuka Anthony, Innocent Gabriel, and Philip Clement had to be at their very best to contain the aerial threats posed by Imade Osarenkhoe just as Shedrack Asiegbu, Saidu Adamu and Chinecherem Ugwueze rolled up their sleeves to ensure their dominance in the middle of the pack.
Chidiebere Nwobodo, Godwin Obaje, and Austin Onyemaechi did found it difficult cutting through the backline of the ‘Benin Arsenals’ but had three opportunities that were foiled by the agile, Amas Obasogie, who stood between the sticks coupled with the heroics of Benjamin Tanimu and Sunday Anyanwu in the heart of the defense.
In the added-on time of the first stanza, Chinemerem Ugwueze was adjudged to have handled the ball in the vital area, and referee, Adebimpe Quadri made the call, issued a second booking to the young midfielder which led to the Coal City side’ being disadvantaged numerically as Osarenkhoe slotted the ball past agile Ogundare for what turned out to be the only goal of the 72nd Federation cup competition.
Chances fell for both sides to score more goals with Nwobodo Chidiebere and Godwin Obaje seeing their efforts comfortably dealt with by Obasogie while at the other end, Ogundare’s sharp reflexes helped him to stop two goal-scoring opportunities for the opponents.
At the end of the encounter, Rangers coach, Abdul Maikaba said, “It was a great display of football artistry from both sides but we failed to take some of our opportunities. I congratulate Bendel Insurance. But this tie could have gone either way as it was a tight contest. Even when we were a goal and player down, we continued pushing them back into their half but we failed to take our chances.”
For their efforts in this year’s oldest club competition, Rangers was rewarded with a Seven Million, five hundred thousand naira cheque while the winners, Bendel Insurance got double this amount and the ticket to play in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup.
