This year’s final of the Federation Cup is a repeat of that played 45 and 42 years ago. While none of the players of Bendel Insurance and Rangers were born then, they and their fans will be familiar with the finals of the Challenge Cup (as the Federation Cup was then known).
Insurance thrashed Rangers 3-0 to lift the title for the second time, having defeated Might Jets on 3-2 penalties in the 1972 final. Insurance won for the third – and final time – in 1980 beating Stationery Stores by a lone goal in 1980, only for Rangers for have their payback stopping the Benin side from defending their title. Rangers won 2-0.
In the national phase of this year’s Federation Cup, Insurance have kept a clean sheet, winning by a lone goal all the way until they encountered Warri Wolves this evening. The Benin Arsenal beat Kwara State’s ABC FC (Round of 64) in Lagos, Ahudiya (Abia State) in the Round of 32 in Calabar, Imo State’s Heartland (Round of 16 in Awka) and Sunshine Stars (Ondo State) in the last eight also in Awka.
But Warri Wolves, the only team outside the top flight to reach the quarterfinals, refused to let Insurance breach their goal post. But in the penalty shootout, the Wolves succumbed 2-4.
Warri Wolves had eliminated Beyond Limited of Ogun State 4-0 in the Round of 64, Shooting Stars 4-3 penalties, Gombe United 1-0 and Lobi Stars 2-1 respectively in the Round of 32, Round of 16 and the quarterfinals.
For Rangers, they had to wait till the second minute of added time to overcome Plateau United in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State. Godwin Obaje’s goal from the spot turned out to be the only one in the game.
The Flying Antelopes’ travel in the national phase of this competition began by walking over Adamawa United in the Round of 64. They then edged out Kano Pillars 2-0 (Round of 32), Ekiti State’s FC Ebedei 3-1 in the Round of 16 and Doma United by a lone goal in the quarterfinals.
The champions of the Federation Cup will represent Nigeria in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup.
