FA CUP: Plateau Utd Can't Stop Rangers From Winning 7th Title -Maikaba

FA CUP: Plateau Utd Can't Stop Rangers From Winning 7th Title -Maikaba

Ibraheem Lateef

Abdul Maikaba insists that Thursday's semi-final game will be a tough one, but Plateau United can't deny his Rangers a 7th Federation Cup title, BSNSports.com.ng writes.

After a dominant display, the Flying Antelopes earned 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 which also dispatched Kwara United 1-0 in Abuja in the last round of the competition.

“We have prepared ourselves to play against any opposition as our target remains being crowned the Federation Cup champions for the season. 

"Undoubtedly, Plateau United 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.”

The Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State is the venue for the duel.

A look down memory lane will see that both sides have played themselves 12 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 the Federation Cup, they bagged five goals 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.