Kano Pillars 1-1 Rangers (6-5 pen): Rangers pay the penalty, exit Federation Cup at the first hurdle

Six-time Federation Cup champions and last season’s losing finalist, Rangers International of Enugu will take no further part in this year’s edition.

The ‘Flying Antelopes’ lost their Round of 64 tie to fellow Nigeria Premier Football League campaigner, Kano Pillars 6-5 on penalties after score at the end of ninety minutes stood at 1-1 in a match played at Bwari Township Stadium, Abuja on Thursday.

Kano Pillars were the quicker out of the blocks in the encounter that had two of the most followed teams in the country flexing muscles at the early stage of the competition, as they scored an early goal when Mustapha Umar was allowed much space inside the box to drill home the game’s opening goal.

Stunned as they were, Rangers took the game to Pillars, probing for openings with Kazeem Ogunleye, Chukwudi Nwaodu, and Isaac Saviour showing dominance in the middle of the pack while Chiedozie Okorie and Godwin Obaje were at the best but the backline of their opponent was clinical in their defensive network.

With the first half remaining only seven minutes to run its cause, Chiedozie Okorie restored parity for the Coal City side on 38 minutes when he latched onto a pass from Obaje to poke home from close range past Ibrahim Galadima who had been doing a yeoman’s job between the sticks for the Kano side.

Both sides returned after the break with renewed energy. Still, it was the Enugu side that enjoyed more dominance as their opponent withdrew into their defensive shells and defended with tenacity.

Substitutes, Chidiebere Nwobodo and Auwalu Naziru were presented with golden opportunities to put the game to bed on three different occasions but were unlucky not to have found the back of the net on 81, 87, and 89 minutes.

Kano Pillars saw an effort miss target on 90 minutes as Mohammed Aminu’s effort went wide with goalkeeper Chukwuemeka Onyia at his mercy.

At the end of the regulation time, both sides had to engage in the mandatory penalty kick to separate them. Kano Pillars converted six of their seven kicks against Rangers’ five.