Warri Wolves have carried the flag of lower division side all the way to the semifinals of this year’s Federation Cup. The only outsiders that landed in the last eight will not contest for a place in the final with this season’s sensational team, Bendel Insurance.
It will be a head-to-head clash between two clubs in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) as former NPFL champions Plateau United go up against one of the old war horses of Nigeria’s club football, Rangers.
Warri Wolves fought bravely to eliminate Lobi Stars in the quarterfinal fixtures at Ijebu-Ode on Sunday evening. Substitute Jabbal Malik had to wait until the 44th minute to shoot Warri Wolves ahead, while Joseph Atule restored parity for the Pride of Benue in the 57th minute, assited by Suur Kumaga’s pull out.
But Christian Izuchukwu ensured that the Nigeria National League side prevailed with the last goal of the encounter in the ]72nd minute.
Warri Wolves defeated Gombe United 1-0 in the Round of 32, eliminated Shoot Stars 4-3 penalties in the Round of 16 and edged out Ogun State’s Beyond Limit FC 4-0 in the Round of 64.
Bendel Insurance have become the lone goal specialists of the competition, beating Kwara State’s ABS FC in the Round of 64, Ahudiya FC of Abia State in the Round of 32, Heartland (Imo State) in the Round of 16, and now Sunshine Stars of Ondo State in Awka this Sunday.
Imade Osarenkhoe‘s 56th-minute spot kick shut was all Insurance required to overcome Sunshine Stars, to go on and face Warri Wolves in the last four.
Plateau United are in the semifinals courtesy of Yakubu Adams’ goal which made all the difference in the evening against Kwara United in Abuja.
United had defeated Enugu State’s Ingas FC 2-1 in the previous round, and also eliminated Enyimba 5-4 penalties in the Round of 32. They walked over Zamfara State’s Jama United in the Round of 64.
Rangers completed the semifinals’ field by beating Doma United 1-0 in Akure through Chidiebere Nwobodo’s goal Philip Clement’ assist with 10 minutes of regulation time remaining. On the way to the stage, they had defeated FC Ebedei (Ekiti State) 3-1 in Asaba, Kano Pillars 2-0 in Abuja and walked over Adamawa United.
Semifinal fixtures: Bendel Insurance v Warri Wolves, Plateau United v Rangers
