Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin, qualified for the 2023 Federation Cup final match after beating Warri Wolves 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the regulation period of 90 minutes that ended 0-0 in the semifinals match played at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium, Onikan, Lagos.
The three times champions of the Nigeria FA cup Bendel Insurance, no doubt, was expected to square up against six times champions Rangers of Enugu in the final, to be played at Stephen Keshi’s Stadium.
On the road to the 2023 Federation cup final, Insurance FC defeated ABS of Ilorin1-0; Ahudiya FC of Abia 1-0, Heartland FC of Owerri 1-0 and Sunshine Stars with same 1-0 goal margin before their 3-2 penalty shootout victory over Warri Wolves in the semifinals in Lagos.
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The Benin Arsenals won the FA cup in 1972,1978 and 1980. They defeated Rangers 3-0 in the 1978 finals but Rangers revenged in 1981 edition, handing Insurance FC 2-0 defeat.
Bendel Insurance FC last appearance in the FA cup finals was in 2006 against Dolphins of Port-Harcourt, and lost 4-2 on shootout to the Rivers’ team.
Meanwhile, Coach Monday Odigie who is who has made history with Bendel Insurance, having led the team from the wilderness of Nigeria’s second tier league; NNL to NPFL Super Six and FA cup victory, said his team is not carried away by the successes they have recorded this season.
