Maikaba proud of Rangers run despite loss in Federation Cup final
Coach Abdul Maikaba expressed his pride at what Enugu Rangers had achieved despite a bitter loss to Bendel Insurance in the Federation Cup final on Wednesday.
Maikaba’s Rangers side lost the final 1-0 after a first-half goal from from Imade Osarenkhoe at Stephen Keshi’s stadium in Asaba.
But the Coach remained upbeat following a tough season in which he came under heavy pressure and criticisms before guiding Rangers to the final of the oldest football competition in Nigeria.
“It was a great display of football artistry from both sides but we failed to take some of our opportunities,” he said after the game.
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“I congratulate Bendel Insurance. But this tie could have gone either way as it was a tight contest. Even when we were a goal and player down, we continued pushing them back into their half but we failed to take our chances.”
For their efforts in this year’s Federation Cup, Rangers got N7.5m as prize money, while eventual winners, Bendel Insurance got double the amount and the ticket to play in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup.