Federation Cup: Best Team Lost In Ijebu-Ode -Ilechukwu

Federation Cup: Best Team Lost In Ijebu-Ode -Ilechukwu

Ibraheem Lateef

Fidelis Ilechukwu has insisted that the best team lost the second Federation Cup semi-final game decided in Ijebu-Ode on Thursday, reports BSNSports.com.ng.

The Otunba Dino Stadium hosted the Nigeria Premier Football League top gun clash between Rangers and Plateau United, and it was the Flying Antelopes that booked a place in the final against Bendel Insurance.

Rangers defeated Plateau United by a lone goal scored from a late-minute spot kick, given by the match official in what looked like a questionable call.

Speaking after the game the Working One expressed disbelief as his team was hard done by the match official's harsh call for a foul on a Rangers player inside the Plateau United box.

"The best team lost the game as Plateau United was far better than Rangers in terms of play.

"My players put their 200 percent into the match, only to be denied the chance to play in the Federation Cup final against Bendel Insurance.

"It's not my style to talk or make comments regarding referees or officiating after matches, as it's like flogging a dead horse and can not change the result.

"I must give credit to the NFF Referees Committee and Interim Management Company (IMC) for bringing sanity to Nigerian football in terms of officiating, while many referees have done better this season.

"We were one step away from reaching the final but it was not to be, so we have to take it as football and hope for the better in the future."