Bendel Insurance has emerged the champions of 2023 Nigeria football federation (FA) Cup after defeating Rangers FC by a lone goal.
The Benin Arsenals who finished fifth at the just concluded NPFL season scored the winner at the nick of halftime via a penalty when their Talisman Imade Osarenkhoe successfully converted the spot kick following Chinerwm Ugbwueze’s handball.
While Ugbwueze would later be subsequently sent off for a second bookable offence, it was all a glorious day for the Coach Odigie led side to win the trophy 43 years after they last won it.
In 1978 final of the FA Cup, Benin Arsenal’ dismantled the much-feared Enugu Rangers 3-0 at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
Three years down the line, Rangers exacted their revenge, with the peerless ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu leading the orchestra from the back as the all-white clad boys from Coal City won 2-0 with goals from Okwuchukwu Obiora and Ifeanyi Onyedika on a sunny afternoon.
Insurance had an impressive season by maintaining an unbeaten record that stretches 21 matches across all competition.
With the victory, Bendel Insurance would join Rivers United at the CAF Confederation Cup as Nigeria representatives