By Ukachukwu Chisom
History was made yesterday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, as Kano Pillars star, Rabiu Ali opened the score line for his team, leaving the Flying Antelopes in disarray as they couldn’t find their feet. Before the end of the first half, Ibrahim Alassan scored the second goal which swept the Enugu boys off their feet and left them mesmerized. At half time, the Antelopes were down by two goals. 
Few minutes into the second half, Nyima Nwagua came from behind to steal the ball and fired a thunderbolt pass to Femi Thomas, and Pillars increased their lead by three goals. With three goals from the Kano Pillars, Sai Masu Gida boys seemed to have lost all hope of equalizing.
Rangers coach, Gbenga Ogunbote introduced the three ‘Magician’ in the second half. the three substitutions made were: Ghanian goalkeeper, Nana Bonsu replaced Femi Thomas who conceded three goals, Ibrahim Ajani for Chiamaka Madu, and Kelvin Itoya for Ugochukwu Ugwuoke. Did these three magicians change the outcome of the game for Rangers?
13 minutes into the second half, Itoya opened the lifeline for Rangers with a superb finish from a long distance.
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Few minutes before the stoppage time, nobody saw the comeback happening, but unbelievably, Rangers came back like they did against Nassarawa United in Kano at the semifinals. Pillars were very close to lifting the trophy, before Chidera Ezeh made it a double for Rangers.
Bonsu made a wonderful save, denying Lokosa a fourth goal for Pillars and their winning chance. Then, we understood why Ogunbote brought him in.
An additional eight minutes was added to the game and Ajani, the shortest man on the pitch completed the comeback with a diving header which equalized the score.
Penalty to decide the winner: Pillars captain, Rabiu Ali, missed the first spot-kick and the momentum finally switched to the side of Rangers. Once again, Bonsu showed up and saved Pillars’ fourth penalty kick while Rangers scored all their four penalties with Isaac Loute scoring the winner against his former team.
Rangers won the Aiteo Cup finals with 4-2 on penalties after waiting for almost three decades. Rangers came back from three goals down, and went ahead to win the kicks from the penalty spot, winning second major title in two years. They broke similar jinx by winning the league title in 2016.
Rangers manager Ogunbote also broke the jinx as a coach by winning this first major title since he came to limelight with Gateway FC 10 years ago.
Full Time score: 3-3
Penalty decides: 4-2
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