• Bayelsa Queens, Rivers Angels fight for women’s trophy

Asaba, the home of the defunct Asabatex, which gave Nigeria stonewall defender, Francis Monidafe and the mercurial striker, Thompson Usiyen, is the venue of one of the country’s enduring rivalries that would be rekindled today.

It is the Federation Cup final and the gladiators are two of the remaining pioneers of Nigeria’s club football, Enugu Rangers and Bendel Insurance. These teams, alongside Shooting Stars of Ibadan, have seen all there is in the country’s game and survived where their peers like Racca Rovers, Calabar Rovers, Mighty Jets, Housing of Akure, Stationery Stores, ACB, NEPA of Lagos, Railways FC, Sharks of Port Harcourt and Ranchers Bees, among others, could not.

Enugu Rangers is the most successful of the current teams in the Federation Cup with six wins, while Bendel Insurance have won it three times.

The teams hold the distinction of being involved in one of the most memorable clashes in the competition when in 1978, against all predictions, Bendel Insurance defeated Enugu Rangers 3-0. Rangers had their revenge in 1981 when they beat Insurance 2-0 in Lagos.

Those were the days when Rangers and Insurance were among the top five teams in the country. Things have changed.

Enugu Rangers, which barely escaped relegation in the 2022/23 Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL), were not involved in the season-defining NPFL Championship Play-off in which Insurance finished as the fifth-best team.

Insurance, which went through the regular 2022/23 season unbeaten, see the Federation Cup as their only remaining route to the continent and have since been preparing for the final.

Officials of the Edo State government, sponsors of Insurance, led by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, have already relocated to Asaba to motivate the Benin Arsenal to victory.

An Edo State government source told The Guardian that the government was not happy with Insurance’s performance in the NPFL Play-Off and has charged the team to ensure they qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup by winning today’s game.

Enugu State government is also not leaving anything to chance, as it wants Rangers to win the competition it last won in 2018.

Shortly before the Flying Antelopes left Enugu for Asaba, Permanent Secretary in the state’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, Krist Mbah, visited the players to inform them of Governor Peter Mbah’s goodwill message and for them to win the cup.

He urged them to put their heart to the encounter and be focused to be able to replicate the miracle of Asaba 2018, when the club defeated Kano Pillars to lift the trophy.

“You have to show commitment, seriousness to bring the image of the state and your own image up, because football is all about strength, skill, commitment and teamwork. Exhibit teamwork, remain disciplined because you have a sound technical team.

“I believe that this is the best time to appreciate the efforts of the technical team. The governor promised to be in Asaba to cheer you up to victory and he believed in work, get the result and be rewarded,” Mbah said.

Meanwhile, Delta State Football Association (DFA) has said the Stephen Keshi Sadium, Asaba is in top shape for the final game.

A statement signed by DFA Chairman, Ken Nwamuocha, said necessary logistics needed for a successful hosting has been put in place, adding that the state had a successful meeting with officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on plans for a befitting 2023 finals.

He further disclosed that there would be side attractions to enliven the finals, just the gates would be thrown open to encourage large turnout of fans to cheer their various teams.

The finals of the Federations Cup will begin with the Women’s final between Cup holders, Bayelsa Queens and Rivers Angels, which will start by 2.00 p.m., while the men’s final will kick off by 5.00 p.m.

(Text, excluding headline: The Guardian)

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