Insurance overcome stubborn Wolves in semis

Nigeria Professional Football League sides, Bendel Insurance and Enugu Rangers will rekindle their age-long rivalry in the FA Cup again after making their way into the final of this year’s edition on Thursday, The PUNCH reports.

Six-time winners, Enugu Rangers, booked their place in the final after beating another NPFL side, Plateau United 1-0 in Ijebu Ode. Former NPFL top scorer, Godwin Obaje, netted the only goal of the game for the Flying Antelopes in stoppage time to prevent the game from going into a straight penalty shootout.

In the other semi-final in Lagos, three-time winners Bendel Insurance needed penalties to edge second-tier side Warri Wolves 3-2 on penalties in a tense Bendel derby which ended goalless in regulation time.

Goalkeeper Amas Obasogie was the hero for Monday Odigie’s side, as he saved Warri Wolves fifth penalty kick after captain Benjamin Tanimu had failed to seal the win with Insurance’s fourth.

Both sides have previously met in the final of the 1978 and 1981 editions, with Insurance winning the former 3-0 while Rangers won the latter 2-0.

The Nigeria Football Federation will announce a date for this year’s final in due course.

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