Giwa Football Club of Jos, Plateau State on Thursday in Abuja knocked out Rangers International FC of Enugu 1-0 in a Round of 32 match in the 2014 Federation Cup.
The match, played at the FIFA Goal Project, saw both Premier League clubs begin the game with a cautious approach as both sides looked to avoid Cup defeat.
The game went on delicately balanced game, even after Rangers FC’s prolific striker, Osaguona Ighodaro. was sent off for an unsporting behaviour in the 40th minute.
Ighodaro’s dismissal was a setback for the Enugu side.
He is currently the highest scorer in the Nigeria Professional Football League with nine goals.
The game, however, sprang into life late in the second half when a powerful header from Ifeanyi Anaemena beat Rangers’ goalkeeper, Emmanuel Daniel, in the 80th minute.
Rangers thereafter mounted pressure on the Giwa FC defence, but their efforts failed to yield any dividend as Giwa FC held on to their lone goal lead.
After the match, aggrieved Rangers players rushed aggressively towards the referee, but were quickly intercepted by the security officers who escorted the match officials out of the pitch.
The Technical Adviser of Rangers, John Obuh, later lamented the fact that he had lost the opportunity of winning the 2014 Federation Cup.
Obuh said he was not happy with the outcome of the match, adding that his team lost so many scoring chances.
He said: “I feel bad because I have lost the opportunity of winning the Federation Cup, which is one of my targets.
“Though the team tried their best, but if they had converted their scoring chances into goals, then we would still have been in the competition.
“There is nothing I can do.
“In situations like this, you just look forward and that is the only way.”
Coach Duke Udi of Giwa FC said he was happy that his team played well, adding that he was hopeful of getting a continental ticket.
Udi said: “I am happy with my team’s performance.
“I want to thank God and my club chairman, Chris Giwa, for giving me the opportunity to coach this club.
“I just wanted the team to play good football and they did so.
“The team is still growing and we hope to win the league as well as get a continental ticket.”
Some matches in the competition’s Round of 32 matches were played on Thursday, with the rest on Friday at various venues across the country.
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