By Daily Sports on October 29, 2018

Dear readers, I will crave your indulgence to address or refer to Aiteo Cup as FA Cup to vividly capture the essence of what happened between Rangers International FC and Kano Pillars FC inside the main bowl of Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba. It lived to the billing of good old days FA Cup between Rangers International of Enugu and the (Raccah Rovers) now Kano Pillars FC of Kano.

It was a game to behold in all its ramifications and the fans enjoyed every bit of their hard earned money via good football that brought out the best of football on both sides.

Those of us that had watched encounters on the same championship between the team would agree with me that it was one its memories would continue to linger for many years to come. It was the typical football that gave the Nigerian football a lift and brought forth the real or if you like the true 2018 FA Cup champs. It was FA Cup the late legendary commentator, Ernest Okonkwo would decisively describe as ‘What an FA Cup encounter.’

Everyone that was at the stadium that fateful evening was held spell bond on the performances of both teams which no doubt gave us the cause to continue to describe the immediate past FA Cup 2018. No word would adequate to further say about that spectacular of FA Cup war of supremacy that involved age-old arch rivals gamely.

Those who followed Nigerian FA Cup history would keenly agree that encounters in the 1970’s and 1980’s that involved the two teams (though Raccah Rovers changed its name to Kano Pillars) can vividly attest how it had been. We saw such memory in full display that final day. Both sides came seizing each other carefully until when the Northerners spilt the first blood and made it three to nothing in the first stanza.

The game which became ding-dong in the second stanza saw changes from the Pillars bench that proved disastrous as the veteran of many football battles and tactical discipline guru, coach Ogunbote saw the error from his counterpart and instructed his boys on the openings in their opponent’s formation. Taking a cue from the coach, the Rangers boys went hey wire to stalemate the game in the first place which paid off and then the flying Antelopes took it from there.

The game was won from the bench which proved that the Rangers bench applied superior tactics which further manifested during the penalty shootout that gave victory to the multiple FA Cup kingpins. I believe that the last FA Cup finals between these old warhorses gave fans both old and new the lasting moments to relish judging the wide ovation that greeted each move by the gladiators. However, the beauty of that evening was the spirit of the game that took centre stage among the opponents. There was no do or die affair instinct at all. That remains a plus and worthy of emulation by all, especially the politicians with their often divisive comments against opponents. When the chips were down the benches tried their best but the better side that the gods of the sport smiled broadly upon carried the day.

The game in the country was the winner and better for the gains recorded that day and beyond. Rangers International FC is a traditional team of Nigerian club football and the team known not to have dropped to the second tie since its formation in the early 1970’s is on the match again after 35 years of FA Cup drought while Pillars unwittingly extended her jinx on the very prestigious traditional football club competition in the land. It has been nearly for the team all these years and if there is one Cup the team wants to drink from, it is this FA Cup. It has been a long track and with the spirit in the game, the lonely highs would surely be peopled someday through this resilience. The just-concluded FA Cup 2018 tournament would remain the re-enactment of the good old days of FA with its traditional thrills, frills, suspense and hold that steadied it firmly as the most sought-after champ whose champions are truly from the mills.       

Rangers International the current champs showed extreme determination, class and tenacity which have been associated with its history of performance in Nigerian football.  It was yet another lesson in the character of a team of note rising from the dead to hold firmly to life and representation.

For the Nigeria Football Federation led by Amaju Pinnick, it was an excellent organisation coupled with classy side attractions. The choice of venue, needless to say, was a beautiful choice except that the pitch looks overgrown with grass which methinks it was not well cut for the all-important football showdown but aside that, the arena remains one of the best venues even for Super Eagles games for now.

Gradually, the sponsors, Aiteo, the oil and gas major player has come. It's thumbs up.  It is now time for Rangers management led by Owumi to cut short the celebration of the victory after 35 years waiting though, to start planning how the team will make it big in next edition of CAF Confederation Cup tournament. The show of shame that characterized their both CAF Champs League in the Confederation Cup the other time must be thoroughly redressed adequately.

Nigerians are not ready for nonsense performance this time around.  In short, Rangers fans all over the country and the Diaspora have no appetite for slippery outing again. Though, a second tie competition in Africa. The wide expectation is that Rangers must give their all and best shot at the summit. As a hard-earned victory, that alone must spur everyone involved in the preparations to be up and doing.

As we celebrate, Daily Sports join others to say congratulations for a job well done and this page says that the spirit that saw the team thus far especially that final of a game should be taken further to the African continent.

Last week the Super Eagles made some appreciable leap forward in both the World and African continent football ranking. It is worth mentioning here coming on the heels of a hundred per cent showing against Libya national side in the Cameroun 2019 AFCON qualifiers. One may not be far from it to refer to such fate as an alarm bell tolling for the side to redouble her efforts as hostility resumes November 16 against South Africa in J’burg in a now or never encounter of prestige and victory. A victory will propel the Nigerians to gaining more confidence for the team that is a mixture of experienced and young lads just making their entry into the big team.

One must recall the assertion by Gernot Rohr that the return leg match against the South African squad would be seen as revenge mission by the Eagles. Therefore without mincing words, it will not be out of place to conclude that the technical hand not only knew the importance of this game against the Bafana Bafana but has already declared war and the tough and rough aspect of the AFCON qualifier cannot be said to be in any further doubt.

All would be geared towards ensuring real preparations to consolidate the gains from the Knights of Libya. The team has given itself good headway and still stands good chance to make it great right there in South Africa in the November 16th match.

Enyimba International FC of Aba closed the cheering news for Nigerian football on a dismal outing in Morocco against Raja in this year’s CAF Confederation Cup. That is history and lesson that every game is important to be taken proper care of.  The match as it finally proved was lost at home. Let us take to our social media handles to discuss this and other football events. Keep shooting hard, till next week!!

Source Daily Sports

Posted October 29, 2018

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