The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Federation Cup

  • FEDERATION CUP: Enyimba knock out El Kanemi

    FEDERATION CUP: Enyimba knock out El Kanemi

    Enyimba are through to the Round of 16 of the Federation Cup after they eliminated El Kanemi 3-1 on penalties after fulltime scores stood at 1-1.

    They will now clash with J. Atete for a place in the quarter-finals of the cup competition.

    Striker Peter Onyekachi shot Enyimba in front after nine minutes through a sublime header off a Chima Akas cross, before El Kanemi drew level 22 minutes later courtesy of Chinedu Ohanachom after a blunder by skipper Chinedu Udoji.

    Enyimba goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai was the hero during the penalty shootout as he saved two of the kicks.

    “Enyimba were lucky to win on penalties as penalty is anybody’s game,” said El Kanemi coach, Ladan Bosso.

  • Rangers eliminated from Federation Cup

    Rangers eliminated from Federation Cup

    Five-time champions, Enugu Rangers’ hope of winning a first title in 31 years ended on Wednesday after losing 0-1 to Lobi Stars in the Federation Cup semi final played in Katsina.

    The Flying Antelopes could not stop the “Makurdi Bombers” who will now face Akwa United in the August 30 final in Lagos, Goal reports.

    The game played at the Karkanda Stadium in Katsina put an end to Rangers’ aspiration who last won the tournament in 1984 when it was still known as the Challenge Cup.

    While Enugu fans lick their wounds and wait for the good times to return, Akwa United will go into the final hoping to win its first title after dispatching Nasarawa United 1-0 in Abeokuta courtesy of Udoh Aniekpemo’s strike.

    The women’s final will be contested by Sunshine Queens and Bayelsa Queens.

  • Akwa United face Lobi in first-ever Federation Cup final

    Akwa United face Lobi in first-ever Federation Cup final

    Akwa United will face Lobi Stars in their first-ever Federation Cup final after they stopped Nasarawa United 1-0 on Wednesday in Abeokuta.

    Aniekpeno Udoh scored the only goal of the game in the 28th minute to book a place in the final of the Federation Cup for the first time in the club’s history.

    David Ukeme of Akwa United was sent off in the game, but all the same they were deserved winners of this tie.

    In the second semifinal, Lobi Stars defeated nine-man Rangers 1-0 in Katsina.

    The goal was scored by Eche Idakwo

    Rangers stars Razak Adegbite and Christian Madu were sent off during the encounter.

    Lobi Stars won the Federation Cup in 2003, when they beat Sharks 2-0.

    They also reached the cup final in 2005 and 2012, when they lost 6-5 to Enyimba after the game ended 1-1 and Heartland 2-1, respectively.

  • Lobi delighted with Federation Cup final ticket

    Lobi delighted with Federation Cup final ticket

    Lobi Stars have stated that they are delighted to make it to the final of the Federation Cup again this year after they defeated Enugu Rangers 1-0 at the Karkanda Stadium in Katsina yesterday to make it to their second final appearance in four years.

    The Pride of Benue survived the scare of the Flying Antelopes who completed the match with only nine players after they had two of their players sent off for unsporting conduct.

    Eche Idakwo scored the vital goal in the first half and the goal sealed the Makurdi Bomber’s place in the final of the competition.

    The Team Manager of the club, Barnabas Imenger told SportingLife that the club’s place in the final of the Federation Cup was for their effort to ensure that they mark the election of the new governor,  Samuel Ortom with a victory in the competition they narrowly lost to Heartland in 2012.

    He said Lobi would continue to work hard to ensure that they lift the trophy at the expense of Akwa United .

     

  • 2014 Federation Cup Final gets date

    2014 Federation Cup Final gets date

    The 2014 Federation Cup final will take centre stage at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos later this month.

    According to reports gathered by SL10, the final will take place in Lagos while a tentative date of September 28 has been forwarded for approval. With the look of things the Federation Cup final will hold on the said date.

    In the men’s final, Enyimba Int’l of Aba who are the defending champions after the People’s Elephant defeated Warri Wolves via penalties in the 2013 final will face another Premier League side, Dolphins FC of Port Hacourt.

    The women’s competition will see Rivers Angel and Sunshine Queens play in the final.

    Lagos State has been hosting the Federation Cup since 2011 through 2013 and the state is set to host the final this year.

  • 2014 FEDERATION CUP FINAL: NFF, LAGOS YET TO FIX A DATE

    2014 FEDERATION CUP FINAL: NFF, LAGOS YET TO FIX A DATE

    A TOP official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has disclosed that the August 16 date fixed for the final of the 2014 Federation Cup is no longer feasible as host of the final, the Lagos State Government, is yet to confirm its approval of that date.

    Dolphins and Enyimba will jostle for the Federation Cup trophy after overcoming their semi final foes on July 24 in Abuja and Abeokuta respectively.

    The ‘Pride of Port Harcourt’ stung Prime FC 1-0 while Enyimba pipped Giwa FC by the same scoreline to set up an exciting grand finale.

    A top source in the ‘Glass House’ told SportingLife that the NFF was in discussions with the Lagos State Government about hosting the Federation Cup final. The programme for the final will be made public at the end of the talks.

    “We are still in discussions with the Lagos State Government and it is until this is sorted out that we can talk about getting a date for the final,” the source told SportingLife.

  • Federation Cup draws hold Tuesday

    Federation Cup draws hold Tuesday

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has revealed that draws for the 2014 Federation Cup, both male and female edition will be held on Tuesday at the FIFA Technical Centre in Abuja.

    Head of the Federation Cup Unit, Ruth David, said at the weekend that the draws will involve all teams that qualified from the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT, except those teams that have been ejected in the national preliminaries.

    The national preliminaries, which took place across the country on May 14, saw Liverpool FC of Sokoto eliminated by Dan Buran of Katsina, while Mafara United of Zamfara walked over Jege United of Kebbi, kickOffNigeria.com reports.

    Binani FC of Adamawa prevailed over Jalingo FC of Taraba; Sky Academy of Kano edged out Police Machine of Nasarawa; Tornadoes Feeders eliminated Indigenes of Ondo and; Bobbies FC of Delta pipped JKF Boys of Ekiti.

    Bright Stars of Ebonyi nicked it on penalties at the expense of Okagbue FC of Anambra and Baton FC of Imo defeated Atlantic Warriors of Cross River State.

    The Grand Finale of this year’s Men and Women Federation Cup competitions has been scheduled for August 3.

  • Ogbeide predicts penalty shootout in Fed Cup decider

    Ogbeide predicts penalty shootout in Fed Cup decider

    Warri Wolves coach, Solomon Ogbeide, has said penalty shootout will decide the winners of the 2013 Federation Cup.

    The Seasiders will confront two-time Cup winners, Enyimba in the final billed for the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos on Sunday.

    Supersport.com reports that Wolves devoted quantity time perfecting penalty kicks in the side’s training session on Saturday’s evening at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

    Ogbeide said he is not leaving any stone unturned in the bid to ensure his side win this year’s Federation Cup at the expense of the two-time African champions.

    “I won’t say for sure that the match will end in penalty shootout. I remain an optimist but something inside me is telling me the encounter might end that way.

    “So what we did was to prepare for everything, as a coach I train my wards for the unseen, the unexpected so that when the unexpected happens you won’t be found wanting.

    “Nothing happens in football by magic, you must train for the known and unknown as well as anticipate everything.

    “Surely, Enyimba must be tired of trophies. This is our turn to shine though we’re not unmindful of the fact that every football game is a big competition, “supersport.com quoted Ogbeide as saying on Saturday.

     

  • Federation Cup: NFF, Lagos State conclude arrangements for epic finale

    Federation Cup: NFF, Lagos State conclude arrangements for epic finale

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and host City, Lagos have perfected arrangements for a captivating 68th Federation Cup grand finale at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere on Sunday.

    Sunday’s showpiece at the venue incidentally named after one of the true legends of the Cup will kick off at 1.30pm with the Women’s Final, between Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt and Nasarawa Amazons of Lafia.

    NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, said: “We are working in harmony with Lagos State to achieve a spectacular show, even better than what we had last year. I must commend the Lagos State Government for its support and commitment to bringing back the glory days of the Federation Cup.

    “The Honourable Commissioner, Hon. Wahid Oshodi and his officers have been very dedicated, and we praise their diligence. They have co-operated very well with our officials and everything points to a magnificent grand finale on Sunday.”

    Organisers have confirmed an expansion of the State Box at the Teslim Balogun Stadium to accommodate more top dignitaries. The NFF stated on Wednesday that the Honourable Minister of Sports/Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi will be special guest of honour.

    Chief host, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) of Lagos will be supported by Governors Theodore Orji of Abia State and Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State.

    The Main Organising Committee, co-chaired by Hon. Wahid Oshodi and NFF first Vice President, Mike Umeh, has announced plans for a comprehensive security arrangement, which will see close to 1,000 security personnel deployed on the day.

    The Men’s Final, starting at 4pm, will see two-time champions and two-time runners-up Enyimba FC of Aba up against Warri Wolves FC.

    Lagos State officials are in the middle of a project to mobilise about 10,000 fans to the stadium, with Enyimba FC and Warri Wolves also expected to storm the Centre of Excellence with thousands of their supporters.

    The roll-call of legends to be showcased (a part of the programme that started last year thanks to Governor Fashola) will see the likes of Paul Hamilton (Wonder Boy), Jossy Dombraye, Toyin Ayinla, Dominic Iorfa, Walter Oyatogun, Sebastian Brodricks-Imasuen, Stanley Eguma and Joe Erico on parade, alongside family members of the late maestro, Mudashiru Babatunde Lawal and late Amusa Shittu.

     

  • It’s Umuahia next for Federation Cup — Eguma

    It’s Umuahia next for Federation Cup — Eguma

    Dolphins’ next competitive game will come up on Wednesday, July 17 at Umuahia in the Federation Cup Round of 32. The game will be against Akwa Starlets of Uyo.

    To get to this stage, Dolphins beat NAF Rockets of Abuja 3-1 in Benin while Akwa Starlets beat Kwara United via penalty shoot-out after full time ended 2-2.

    Last season, Dolphins got knocked out in the Round of 64, their worst ever performance in the Federation Cup, but Eguma insists that will not happen this season.

    “The Federation Cup is different. It brings a lot of surprises and we work against any unforeseen thing.

    “By their name Akwa Starlets, people may want to underrate them but we won’t do that because they worked hard to get to this point. We will come out fully to fight with them and ensure we are not taken by surprise,” Eguma said.

    Dolphins have won the Federation Cup four times, in 2001, 2004, 2006 and 2007.