By Ogochukwu Isioma in Benin City
Bendel Insurance of Edo have qualified for next season’s CAF Confederation Cup after defeating Rangers International of Enugu one nil on Wednesday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta State, to emerge champions of the 2023 Federation cup.
Wednesday’s Insurance victory capped their impressive season with their 4th FA Cup after 43 years, as they pipped their old rivals, Rangers, to lift the 2023 edition of the NFF/Tingo Federation Cup.
It was a repeat of the 1978 finals when Bendel Insurance defeated Enugu Rangers International 3 nil to lift the federation cup, with Imade Osarenkhoe scoring in the 45th minute from the penalty spot.
Rangers were reduced to ten men squad, after Chinemerem Ugwueze got his second booking for a deliberate handball inside the box as he tried to foul ref Quadri Adebimpe by stopping a goal bound effort.
Insurance’s Imade converted the resultant penalty for the solitary goal of the match.
The victory crowns the effort of Insurance who were unbeaten in group A of the abridged 2023 Nigeria premier league.
With Wednesday’s victory, Bendel Insurance will now join their Rivers United counterpart as Nigeria’s representatives in next season’s CAF confederation cup.
