The Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State will be the venue for the Federation Cup 2023, Semi-Final encounter between ‘Coal City’ outfit, Rangers International F.C, Enugu and their ‘Tin City’ side, Plateau United F.C, Jos with the ‘Flying Antelopes’ set to overcome the challenges of the Jos’ side.
After a dominant display by the coach Abdul Maikaba tutored side that earned the Enugu landlords a 1-0 win over hard-fighting Doma United at the quarter-final stage in Akure, the widely traveled tactician is optimistic about making a win over his former club, Plateau United that also dispatched Kwara United 1-0 in Abuja in the last round of the competition.
In a chat, coach Maikaba said of the encounter against Plateau United, “We have prepared ourselves to play against any opposition as our target remains being crowned the Federation Cup champions for the season. Undoubtedly, Plateau will come out strong and determined, but my players are well-motivated to get the desired result. I believe that the way my players are responding to training and instructions, there will be no stopping us from winning the oldest club competition for the 7th time.”
A look down memory lane will see that both sides have played themselves twelve times in the top flight with the Jos’ side enjoying a slight edge after six wins as against five for the Enugu side while one game ended in a draw.
In the concluded NPFL 2022/2023 regular season that kept the two teams in separate groups, Rangers finished 8th on Group B log with 21 points from 4 wins, nine drawn games, and five losses scoring 16 times and letting in the same number while keeping five clean sheets and it has been all positives in the Federation Cup with six goals scored and one conceded in three rounds of matches as Adamawa United failed to show up for the Round of 64 fixtures
For their opponents, Plateau United who competed in Group A of the NPFL season, they came 5th with 26 points from seven wins, six losses, and five drawn games scoring 26 goals and leaking 23 in 18 matches while in three rounds of Federation Cup have scored five times and conceded three just as Jama United failed to show up at the round of 64.
Rangers are responsible for the exit of such clubs as Kano Pillars, F.C Ebedei, and Doma United with the Jos’ side showing the likes of Enyimba, Ingas, and Kwara United the exit doors with the Enyimba match going into extra time after Plateau United came from two goals down.
Top players to watch out for in this top-of-the-bill encounter include but are not restricted to Chidiebere Nwobodo, Godwin Obaje, Samuel Pam, Austin Onyemaechi for the multi-titlist, Rangers with Mustapha Ibrahim, Chimezie Izuchukwu, Nenrot Silas and Daniel Itodo doing well for the one-time winner.
Kickoff for this fixture is 4.00 pm.
/Norbert Okolie
