Head coach of Rangers International, Abdu Maikaba, has reiterated his desire to win the 2023 Federation Cup title with the Enugu side after reaching the final on Thursday, www.aclsports.com reports.
Rangers booked their place in the final of the national cup competition after beating fellow topflight side Plateau United 1-0 at the Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu Ode. Godwin Obaje’s late penalty decided the contest to lead the Flying Antelopes to their second cup final in six years.
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Maikaba agreed it was a massive battle between the two Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) giants, but expressed his delight on achieving the win.
“I am a very happy man today after winning against my former team (Plateau United),” the former Wikki Tourists gaffer began speaking after the game.
“It was a hard-fought battle. It can go either way but after our tactical change in the second half, we committed more of their defenders; in so doing we had a clear penalty call, which we converted almost in the 90th minute of play. So, I will say congratulations to Rangers International Football Club.
“They are a very good side. A side that has stayed together for a long period of time and you can see the cohesion in their play. As I said earlier, we are in a very tough form, we resisted them right from the blast. They were creating chances, we were creating chances also, and in the end, we became victorious.
Maikaba, who won this competition with Akwa United back in 2017, is hoping to etch his name in the history books of Rangers by leading them to their seventh triumph.
“We have come a long way and the expectation is to come out with the trophy as winners; Rangers have won this trophy six times, and I want to make it the seventh time as coach,” He concluded.
Rangers will face Bendel Insurance in the final showpiece – which is a repeat of the 1981 final – on the weekend of 18th June at a venue to be announced later.
