NIGERIAN league division one side, Prime FC of Osogbo has qualified for the quarter final of the 2012 Federation Cup after beating Dynamite FC of Benin by 2-1 at Ibadan zone of the competition.Three days ago, Prime had beaten Nigeria Premier League pacesetter, Rangers International by a lone goal in the first match of the zone hosted by the Lekan Salami Stadium.The win over Dynamite confirmed Prime as the group leader on six points from the two wins.Meanwhile, Rangers International FC of Enugu are out of contention after losing its second consecutive game to Sharks FC of Port Harcourt by 3-2.Sharks have the chance to join Prime as group qualifier as the Port Harcourt side has four points from two games. Sharks drew 1-1 with Dynamite in their opening game and will play Prime FC in the final group game tomorrow.Meanwhile, PLAYERS and officials of Rangers FC of Enugu were bitter as a 3-2 defeat by Sharks FC of Port Harcourt ended their Federation Cup ambition.Rangers had earlier lost to Prime by a lone goal last Wednesday.''This is supposed to be a top class game between two top Nigera Premier League sides but imagine what the officiating has turned the match to,'' lamented Rangers' General Manager, Uzor Paul ChibuzorRangers players and their fans vehemently protested a Thankgod Amaefule's 89th minute penalty awarded be referee Wale Akinsanya for an offence allegedly committed by Rangers' goalkeeper Godwin Analogu outside the penalty box.Victor Ezeji scored Sharks' first goal from the penalty spot in the 45th minute but Rangers levelled up with an Ugonna Uzochukwu's header in the 53rd minute.A minute later, Gomo Onduku shot Sharks ahead again while Chikeluba Ofoedu neatly tucked in Rangers' second goal from the spot in the 70th minute of the match.Centre referee, Wale Akinsanya stirred controversy when he awarded the third penalty of the game to Sharks in the 89th minute as he sanctioned Ayalogu for an offence which appeared to have been committed outside the 18-yard boxMeanwhile, CHAIRMAN Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Barrister Chris Green has described the qualification of Prime FC of Osogbo ahead of top sides, Sharks Fc of Port Harcourt and Rangers International at the Ibadan zone as the beauty of shocks of Cup games.''It happens all over the world, and what we have seen is the beauty of cup games. Who would have thought Prime would beat Rangers and Sharks to the first place at the Ibadan zone of this cup "I congratulate Prime and I am happy for them, this is good for Nigerian football," he said.
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