2023 FA Cup: Bendel Insurance faces Rangers International FC's acid test

Posted : 20 June 2023

As Nigeria stands still for the best of clubside football in the 2023 Federation Cup to be played at the Stephen Keshi International Stadium Asaba, between the two traditional powerhouse clubsides in Nigeria, Bendel Insurance and the current most decorated club of the competition, Rangers International FC of Enugu; both are ready to set the field on fire.

Both teams had good run of form in the stages before their eventual berth in the finals as Bendel Insurance FC maintained invincible form throughout the campaign, both in the Federation Cup and Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) campaigns.

Definitely, it will be a mouth watering finals in the 2023 edition of the FA Cup in Asaba as both clubs also share rich history in the competition having emerged winners in the past campaigns.

Rangers International is the current most decorated club in the FA Cup and will savour an astonishing 7th heaven having won it six times in the previous editions starting from 1974, 1975, 1976, 1981, 1983 and 2018.

The Flying Antelopes in the past had spent 35 good years of FA Cup trophy drought between 1983 and 2018.

They have emerged champions having won it for three consecutive times between 1974 and 1976 and then 1981 and 1983.

For 2023 FA Cup final, another history beckons as another five years have passed since the Flying Antelopes last tasted victory at the finals of the FA Cup.

Enroute to the 2023 finals, it was a last gap winning before the Flying Antelopes could overcome arch-rival Plateau United FC at the semifinals played at the Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

It was Godwin Obaje’s goal from the spot that turned out to be the match winning turnaround for the team.

The Abdul Makaiba-tutored team had started off the 2023 FA Cup challenge with a walkover of Adamawa United in the Round of 64 and then defeated the once Nigeria Premier League giant, Kano Pillars 2-0 in the Round of 32.

Enugu Rangers got a reprieve in the knockout stage with fixtures against less-fancied Ekiti State’s FC Ebedei, a team they walloped by 3-1 only to face the landmine of high-flying Doma United in the quarterfinals.

Although the match against the Premier League debutant, Doma United came tough, Rangers International won by a lone goal.

However, for Bendel Insurance, they are also one of the Super powers of the football clubside in Nigeria, having won the FA Cup thrice, (1972, 1978 and 1980).

It is thrilling to know that the Benin Arsenals started winning the FA Cup before Rangers International FC, having won it in 1972 when the Benin Arsenals defeated Mighty Jets of Jos, and as there was no competition in 1973, Rangers International repeated same feat in 1974 by defeating same team, Mighty Jets of Jos in 1974.

In 1978, Bendel Insurance defeated Rangers International FC 3-0 in the finals to win the FA Cup, while Rangers International returned the kick in 1981 by beating them 2-0 in the finals to emerge champions.

However, enroute to the finals, Bendel Insurance tutored by Monday Osagie is having a repetition of 1978 history when they also experienced unbeaten run, but not up to the 23 recorded in the current season.

On the way to the 2023 finals, the Benin Arsenal have maintained an unbeaten run in all competitions, the team started off with a 1-0 win against Kwara State’s ABS FC in the round of 64.

The Osagie-tutored team then beat Ahudiya FC of Abia by a lone goal in the Round of 32 after which they defeated three-times winners, Heartland FC of Imo by a lone goal before another 1-0 win over Ondo State’s Sunshine Stars in the quarterfinals.

The semifinals fixture was a tough duel between the two inseparable sisters, Bendel Insurance and Warri Wolves, who have shared history.

Bendel Insurance was stretched to the limit and had to play a penalty kick for the first time in their 2023 FA Cup campaigns to beat Warri Wolves.

The Sea Siders gave the Benin Arsenals a torrid time on the pitch and only succumbed to defeat in the ensuing penalty shootouts after regulation time deadlocked goalless; regardless, Insurance gained the upper hand and won the penalty lottery 4-2.

Benjamin Tanimu was the only one who missed the spot kick in Insurance fold, while Ebenezer Odeyemi, Divine Nwachukwu and Ebuka Akobundu converted their kicks.

The Benin Arsenals didn’t bother to take the last kick, having emerged the winners.

In a relative comparison, the 2023 FA Cup finals could spring out a reminiscence of the rivalry between two traditional teams of the old Midwest and the Eastern regions, culminating in the 1978 final played at the mainbowl of the National Stadium in Lagos.

The 1978 epic final had Bendel Insurance humble Rangers by three unreplied goals 3-0; back then, when the Cup was known as Challenge Cup.

It was Bendel Insurance's skipper Felix Agbonifo’s free kick that opened the floodgates of goals, while Peter Egharevba added a second before Henry Ogboe effectively silenced the Flying Antelopes that had nine national team players in their fold.

Interestingly the 2023 FA Cup final pairings will be the sixth time Rangers and Bendel Insurance will be meeting in the FA Cup final.

Who will carry the day? Less than 24 hours to the kickoff, both teams are battle-ready to put their acid to test.

2023 FA Cup: Bendel Insurance faces Rangers International FC's acid test

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