The Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday announced the list of officials for the men’s and women’s finals in the Federation Cup set for Wednesday, June 21, at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State.
For the men’s finals between Enugu Rangers and Bendel Insurance, FIFA badge referee Adebimpe Quadri will be the leading official; Mohammed Mahamud and Ahmed Mohammed have been chosen as the two assistant referees, while the duo of Grema Mohammed and Nasiru Ibrahim were named as the reserve referee and reserve assistant, respectively.
The women’s final between Bayelsa Queens, who lost the Nigeria Women Football League final to Delta Queens, and Rivers Angel will also have FIFA badge referee Yemisi Akintoye as the main referee, with Mfon Friday and Beauty Terah as assistant referees, while Ndidi Madu and INDO Maryam will act as reserve referees and reserve assistants, respectively.
The match on Wednesday will be the competition’s 80th final and the third meeting between the Benin Arsenals and Rangers at this stage of the competition, with both teams enjoying one win each from their last two meetings.
Despite Rangers having the upper hand in terms of Federation Cup titles won with six to Bendel’s three, the Benin-based side are tipped as the favorites for the final as they continue to impress since returning to the topflight this season.
Rangers narrowly edged out Plateau United 1-0 in the semifinals, while Bendel needed penalties to see off Warri Wolves 4-2 after a goalless draw at the end of regular time.
With Monday Odigie’s side falling short in the Super Six tournament despite going unbeaten all through the season, they have another opportunity at silverware and at booking a spot in the continental competitions next season as the winner of the encounter between both teams gets a ticket as one of Nigeria’s representatives at the CAF club competition.
In the Women’s final, Rivers Angel will hope its second time lucky against the Bayelsa Queens, having won their most recent encounter at this stage of the tournament in 2018.
The two sides will kick off the finals at 2 p.m. before Bendel Insurance and Enugu Rangers lock horns at 5 p.m. WAT.
