By Frank Ulom
Bendel Insurance FC, today qualified for the next round of Nigeria’s National Challenge Cup now Aiteo Cup without kicking the ball as their opponents, Rovers of Calabar failed to honour the game at Enyimba Stadium, Aba.
The Benin Arsenal and match officials went into the Aba field as scheduled and warmed up for the game but the Rovers of Calabar were unavailable for the game till the match officials declared Insurance winners.
According to the fixtures, the Benin Arsenal will now face NPFL side, Nasarawa United in the next round in Enugu.
Reasons for Rover’s inability to show up in Aba, Abia State for the game remained unclear at the time of fielding this report but THE PARADISE gathered that it is related to logistics issues.
Recall that the two sides also met in the 2019 edition at the quarter-final stage and the Rovers carried the day via a penalty shootout after a barren draw in Enugu.
Meanwhile, the Calabar Rovers may be kicked out of the Nigeria National League (NNL) and into the 3rd division league, Nigeria Division 1 (3. League) at the end of the 2020/2021 season.
Currently, the team stands at number 11 out of 12 teams in Group B1 of the NNL with 19 points. Failure to win the last 3 games and if the teams above them win their remaining 3 games, then the Calabar Rovers will be relegated into the Nigeria Division 1.
