2023 Federation Cup final: Bendel Insurance vs Enugu Rangers preview

By Wale Mustapha

Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba in Delta State will be at the center of action on Wednesday, 21st of June when Bendel Insurance FC of Benin will tango with Rangers Int’l of Enugu in the 2023 Federation Cup men’s final.

Both teams who had a contrasting 2022/2023 football league season will be rekindling their age long cup rivalries at the match.

While Insurance who had a decent run in the regular season without losing match until the playoffs, Rangers had to wait till second to the last match of the season to determine their top flight status for another season.

Both Insurance and Rangers clashed in the final of the competition in 1978 and 1981, with a win for each team.

While Insurance won the 1978 finals, Rangers paid them in similar fate in 1981. The Asaba final will give both teams to reclaim their supremacy over each other as it will also an opportunity for either side to secure a continental football for next season.

Rangers who have a winning experience at the same ground with their famous comeback victory over Kano Pillars in 2018 finals will have the full services of their first team players including captain John Uche who will lead the team from defense.

The experience center back is expected to be paired by Ebuka Anthony with young Detan Ogundare looking favored to be in goal for the Flying Antelopes.

Coach Abdu Maikaba who is chasing his second national cup win in six years, will expect that Godwin Obaje will bring his goalscoring prowess to bear against Insurance.

For the Benin Arsenals, they will have the services of midfielder Divine Nwachukwu – one of only two outfield players from the NPFL who were part of the Super Eagles’ qualification for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-2 of Sierra Leone in Liberia on Sunday.

Osarenkhoe Imade and Ismail Sarki are also expected to lead the line and come good for Coach Monday Odigie side while team captain, Amas Obasogie should be at his best in goal for the club.