Bendel Insurance Vs Rangers: Federation Cup final Match Preview
Bendel Insurance of Benin will face Enugu Rangers International in the final match of the 2023 Tingo Nigeria Federation Cup today Wednesday June 21, 2023. SPORTSRATION presents a preview of the match.
MATCH DETAILS
Type of Competition: 2023 Tingo Nigeria Federation Cup
Round: Final match
Fixture: Bendel Insurance Vs Enugu Rangers International
Date: Wednesday June 21, 2023
Venue: Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba Delta State
Time: 5pm
ABOUT THE MATCH
Bendel Insurance and Enugu Rangers International will be meeting in a Federation Cup final match for a third time in history.
Both teams clashed in the 1978 and 1981, with a win for each team in those finals.
In 1978, Benin Arsenal as Insurance are nicknamed stunned then favourites Rangers International in the final decided at the National Stadium in Surulere Lagos.
A stunning 3-0 win it was for Bendel Insurance as the Flying Antelopes came into the game as the most in-form team in Nigeria following 1974, 1975 and 1976 title triumphs plus a 1977 African Cup win.
Three years later, both teams clashed again in the final, this time star-studded Rangers conquered the Benin boys 2-0 Okuchukwu Obiora and Ifeanyi Onyedika on target to hand the Flying Antelopes the 1981 Federation Cup title.
42-years on, both teams will lock horns again for the right to be called Tingo Nigeria Federation Cup champions and also take a CAF Confederation Cup slot for the 2023/2024 season.
Bendel Insurance under the tutelage of Monday Odigie will fight to win the title and put behind memories of the recently concluded NPFL Super Six playoffs where they failed to at least take one of three continental spots after their unbeaten run in the regular season.
Rangers International FC on their part endured a turbulent league season, reason Head Coach Abdul Maikaba is optimistic his boys will take the title as appreciation for their fans who stood by the team through the trying times.
The Men’s final will be preceded by the Women’s final between Bayelsa Queens Vs Rivers Angels.
MATCH OFFICIALS
As confirmed by the Nigeria Football Federation referees committee, Lagos-based FIFA Badged Referee Quadri Adebimpe will be at the center of proceedings for the 2023 Tingo Federation Cup men’s final.
SPORTSRATION SAYS
Having lost their invincibility with defeats Vs Rivers United FC and Remo Stars at the NPFL Super Six playoffs, Bendel Insurance will be careful not to slip again.
This could limit the excitement in the final match so we say a goalless regulation time score. The winner to be decided on penalties.