Bendel Insurance defeat Rangers 1-0 to win 2023 Aiteo Cup

AFTER 45 years of winning the Federation Cup, Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin, have emerged the 2023 Aiteo Cup Champions following a hard fought 1-0 victory against its perennial foes Rangers International Football Club of Enugu.

The tension-soaked encounter played at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta State lived up to its pre match hype.

It would be recalled that the Benin Arsenal as Insurers are fondly called in the Nigeria football arena last won the converted trophy in 1978 after defeating same Rangers 3-0 at the National Stadium, Surulere in 1978.

The half ended in 1-0 in favour of Bendel Insurance Football Club, courtesy of a penalty following a hand ball by Rangers defender in the 18 yard-box after a goal-mouth scramble.

Imade Osarenkhoe neatly converted the resultant penalty into a goal to register the lead for Bendel Insurance in the tension-soaked match after four minutes added time of first half

The flying antelopes defender was however, given the matching order (red card) following accumulation of one yellow card prior to the incident, reducing the Enugu based sides to finish the match with 10 players against 11 insurance side.

However, after the four minutes added time of play in the first half, the centre Referee, signaled the end of the half. Both teams have gone into the dressing rooms for possibly pep-talks.

At the resumption of hostilities in the second half, both teams made frantic efforts to registered a goal, this is even as the Benin Arsenal were the better sides in the half.

The game, however, ended in a ding-dong affairs in the second half, hence, Bendel Insurance ran away with a 1-0 victory against the flying antelopes of Enugu.

With the victory at Asaba, Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin have secured a continental ticket to represent Nigeria in CAF Confederation Cup.