The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Fed Cup

  • Fed Cup: Kanu’s pet club shocks Gombe Utd

    Fed Cup: Kanu’s pet club shocks Gombe Utd

    Pet club of former Super Eagles star Nwankwo Kanu, Papilo FC, sent packing Nigeria National League side Gombe United from the Federation Cup on Thursday after a 3-2 win.

    NPFL sides Giwa, Sunshine Stars and Shooting Stars all lost to small teams in the round of 64 games.

    Premier league side Taraba thrashed Akampa United 3-0 in another cup tie on Thursday.

    Coach Tony Ogharanduku boys got the first goal through Chinedu Ohananchom, who connected a cross from the right wing with a header in the 10th minute.

    Ibrahim Sanusi made it 2-0 for the Jalingo-based team in the 36th minute.

    He completed his brace with the third goal when he jabbed in a cross from the right flank in the 85th minute.

  • Serena Williams ruled out of Fed Cup

    Serena Williams ruled out of Fed Cup

    Serena Williams was replaced by Coco Vandeweghe for Sunday’s singles against Argentina.

    Serena Williams pulled out of her Fed Cup match against Argentina’s Paula Ormaechea on Sunday, citing illness.

    Williams, who won the Australian Open last weekend, was set to face Ormaechea in Buenos Aires but was replaced in the line-up by Coco Vandeweghe.

    In the first round of singles on Saturday, Serena defeated Maria Irigoyen 7-5, 6-0, while sister Venus downed Ormaechea 6-3, 6-2.

    USA need one win in Sunday’s three matches – two singles, one doubles – to advance.

    The States are trying to get back into the top-tier World Group in the Fed Cup after dropping out with an upset loss to France last year. The Americans have won a record 17 Fed Cup titles, but the last one came in 2000.

  • Crown through to Fed Cup quarter-final

    Crown through to Fed Cup quarter-final

    Crown FC of Ogbomosho  are through to the quarter  final of this year’s Federation Cup after a nail-biting penalty kick victory over Nasarawa United at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba yesterday.

    Both sides ended the 90 minutes regulation period 1-1 before the Ajilete Boys survived the shootout heat to progress 5-4.

    The two sides started the tie on a cautious note with the Solid Miners gaining the upper hands but with no goal to show for their effort.

    Crown FC recovered from the early scare of the Lafia sides to score the opening goal in the 28th minute through Lekan Agunloye who benefited from a pass from the wing through impressive skipper Christian Ibeh.

    Nasarawa United, however, fought back and it was not long thereafter that they equalised through a well laid pass that was converted by Okan Ogunosi in the 41st minute.

    There was no goal in the second half and it proceeded to penalty kick after the referee blew the final whistle.

    Reliable penalty kick taker, Seun Sogbeso missed Nasarawa United’s first spot kick while Lekan Agunloye failed to convert the fourth kick for Crown FC after Segun Ayo and Bode Daniel successfully converted theirs for the Ajilete Boys.

    Innedun Francis however put the match beyond the reach of Nasarawa United in the sides’ seventh kick after his effort went into the back of the net to the angst of Dami Paul in goal for the Solid Miners.

    Crown FC General Manager, Fatai Olayinka said he was over the moon with the victory and that his boys would go back home to prepare better for the next match slated for next week.

    He hailed his boys calmness during the shootout and asserted that with more work Crown could be a surprise package of the Federation Cup this year.

    Two Rivers State reps Sharks and Dolphins have also qualified for the last eight. The Blue Angels detonated Dynamites 2-0 through the goals of Kelly Kester and Christian Pyagbara while Emem Eduok strike was enough to beat El Kanemi Warriors who faced Dolphins in Lafia.

  • Fed. Cup: Benue people deserve silverware, says Iorfa

    Fed. Cup: Benue people deserve silverware, says Iorfa

    The vice chairman of Lobi Stars Dominic Iorfa says it is necessary for the Makurdi side to deliver silverware to the people and government of Benue State, because of their unrelenting support to the team.

    Iorfa thus asked all the players and coaches to suspend their celebration of the defeat of ABS in the Federation Cup Round of 16 and focus on their quarter final opponents, Akwa Starlets at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu on Wednesday.

    Lobi went through to the last eight, beating ABS 5-4 on penalties at the Bako Kotangora Stadium, Minna, after a goalless 90 minutes, but the ex-Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) board member was emphatic that partying must be put on hold until the final hurdle is scaled.

    “It is not over until it is all over at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos in the final and till then we must caution ourselves and learn to celebrate our wins with utmost decorum.

    “First of all, we must give God the glory for our qualification for the quarter finals of the Federation Cup. Our mission and objective was clear from the beginning of this competition.

    “It is to lift the coveted trophy in our second attempt in two years because our sports-loving governor, Dr. Gabriel Suswan and the good people of Benue State deserve silverware for their support.

    “We must continue to strive harder until we achieve our aim in the final.

    “We must not be deterred at all by whatever we meet along our way towards achieving our set target,” Iorfa said in a message sent through Lobi’s head of media, Jack Moses Ekwe Ekwe (JP).

    Akwa Starlets are the only remaining National League side that made it to the last eight after the final two- Abia Warriors and Niger Tornadoes- were beaten during the Round of 16. The team from Uyo has been the revelation thus far after claiming the scalps of premier league clubs Kwara United and Dolphins, and National League frontrunners, Abia Warriors.

    But Iorfa, a former Super Eagles striker opined next Wednesday’s clash would mark an end to their giant-killing run.

    Lobi defeated Crown of Ogbomosho, MFM of Lagos and ABS to get to this level.

  • Crown blame referee for Fed Cup exit

    Crown FC head coach Oladunni Oyekale has blamed Wednesday’s defeat to Lobi Stars in the Federation Cup round of 62 on poor refereeing.

    Oyekale believes that had the officiating been fair, the tie would not have gone to penalties, claiming they would have won in regulation time.

    He was full of praise for the way his charges performed in Minna, insisting they have justified their brilliant run in the National League.

    “I think we had a great game, but the referee was out to frustrate us,” he told supersport.com.

    “He appeared to lose control with Dominic Iorfa on the touchline always shouting at him.

    “He (Iorfa) was complaining about everything, even the match ball and perhaps this unsettled the referee because he made many odd decisions.

    “Lobi’s goal was clearly offside, but my boys continued to play well and got the equaliser.

    “We had genuine calls for penalties that were ignored, and though we lost on penalty shootout, I’m proud of my players performance.

    “Being a National League side, nobody gave us a chance, but my players acquitted themselves very well.

    “We have justified being among the top teams in our section of the National League, and I hope it ends in promotion as we’ve had a wonderful season.”

    Crown are 3rd in National League, Group B with 38 points from 23 matches.