Defending champions Bendel Insurance Football club of Benin, Wednesday, May 1,2024 defeated Stormers Sports Club of Abeokuta 1-0 to qualify for the round of 32 of the 2024 Federation Cup.
Chukwudi Meze scored the only goal of the match for the Benin Arsenals in the 61st minute of the game. Substitute Paul Obata made it easy with a fine pass for the lanky striker who smartly tripped the ball in to give his side the long awaited relief.
The first half had ended goalless with Insurance strikers missing several scoring chances at the Area 3 field, Abuja.
Insurance FC were lucky to avoid upset in the 18th minute when their goalkeeper Joshua Baba was pressured out of his 18 yard box, leaving an open net for Stormers striker who shot wide.
The Benin Arsenals who defeated Rangers 1-0 at the Stephen Keshi stadium to win the 2023 title will be waiting for the next opponents in the round of 32.
The story is however not the same for Edo state FA cup runners up Ine Stars of Benin as they exit the challenge cup after losing 2-1 to Kebbi Utd at the same venue in the first fixture of the day.
