Rangers FC of Enugu came from three goals down to defeat Kano Pillars in the AITEO Cup final. The 2016 NPFL champions fell behind to goals from Rabiu Ali, Ibrahim Alassan and Nyima Nwagwua in the 5^th, 20^th and 48^th minutes and it looked like their twelfth final would be another loss.

Rangers FC last won the cup in 1983 when it was known as The Challenge Cup. They have been to 4 finals after 1983 and lost all of them. The 2018 final was heading in that direction until Kelvin Itoya’s 77^th minute 30 yard screamer. The goal stunned Kano Pillars and ignited the Flying Antelopes to want more.

Chidera Ezeh made it two for Rangers with 8 minutes left of regulation time. In the first minute of added time, Ajani Ibrahim equalized for Rangers to send the Stephen Keshi Stadium to ecstasy. What a script. What looked like a whitewash in the 76^th minute turned out to be classic by full time.

The lotteries of penalties were used to decide the winners and as the script always goes, Rangers defeated Kano Pillars 4-2 on penalties to emerge champions. Can you believe it? 3-0 down with just a quarter of the game to play, yet Rangers pulled up this memorable comeback to win their 6^th Nigerian Cup title.

Rangers will now represent Nigeria in the 2018/19 CAF Confederation Cup after Enyimba failed to win the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup. The winner of the AITEO Cup would have sat at home during the 2018/19 continental matches if Enyimba had won the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup. Enyimba lost 3-1 on aggregate to Raja Casablanca after a 2-1 loss in Casablanca.

In the Women’s AITEO Cup edition, Rivers Angels secured their 8^th cup title after Juliet Sunday’s 47^th minute strike secured a 1-0 win over Ibom Angels. It was a repeat of last year’s final but this didn’t go down to penalties. Sadly, there is no CAF Women Champions League for Rivers Angels to play in.

Now the NPFL and AITEO cup is over. Let us regroup and start the new season afresh and better. We wish Lobi Stars and Rangers FC the best on the continent.

Congratulations Rangers FC and Rivers Angels – AITEO Cup Champions.

@AmosCP

Photo-credit: The NFF