Nigerian Football
AGEGE SET FOR ITS HIGHEST PROFILE EVENT IN HISTORY
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Agege Stadium makes history on Sunday when it hosts the maiden edition of the Nigeria’s national football cup now called AITEO Cup.
The national cup itself is in its in its 73rd edition having began in 1945 and held yearly except in 1973 owing to congested calendar.
The change of name of the competition this year is the fourth having earlier been known as Governor’s Cup from 1945 to 1954, All Nigeria Challenge Cup from 1955 to 1995, Coca-Cola FA Cup from 1996 to 2008 and Federation Cup from June 9, 2009.
Two former winners of the national cup will be contesting the AITEO Cup on Sunday.
Niger Tornadoes, winners via Akin Ademofe of Rangers’ own goal in the 2000 final match at the National Stadium, Lagos will be facing the 2015 winners, Akwa United.
The two sides therefore strive to win for the second time. But for Niger Tornadoes, it is the third time in the final having lost 1-4 to Stationery Stores in 1982.
On the road to this year’s final, Niger Tornadoes eliminated national cup holders, FC IfeanyiUbah on a 4-3 aggregate in the semi finals. Akwa United, seeking glory once again and a possible return to the CAF Champions League which it missed to Enyimba via fourth placing in the league, edged out fellow premier league sides, Lobi United and Shooting Stars before showing Sunshine Stars the exit rout last Sunday in the return leg of the semi final duel.
As for the Agege Stadium, it becomes the 13th arena to host the national cup final. Sports Village Square recalls that this is the first time the arena set up by the Western Regional Government of Chief Obafemi Awolowo as play ground for the industrial district of Ikeja as playground, will host a national cup final.
The national cup final which began as Governor’s Cup had its origin at Onikan Stadium which was then known as Association Ground. It hosted the national final under different names from 1945 to 1972 as it changed names from Association Ground to King George V and later to Lagos City Stadium.
It never hosted the final under its present name of Onikan Stadium, a name it adopted after the old structure was pulled down in 1974 and rebuilt by Lateef Jakande’s government in the early 1980s.
It last hosted the then Challenge Cup in 1972 in an ill-tempered match between Mighty Jets and the then Bendel Insurance. The match ended 2-2 and had to be replayed. It was the last time a national final match was held at the water-front arena.
For the first time, the final was moved to Ibadan at the then Liberty Stadium, now renamed Obafemi Awolowo Stadium. The 1974 final was played at the newly built National Stadium, Lagos where successive editions were held uninterrupted till the 1988 edition which held at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan.
The fifth stadium to host the final match was Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi in 1989. It was in Bauchi that history was made when for the first time in 36 years; a club from the North won the national Cup.
The relatively unknown and young Amodu Shaibu coached BCC Lions to beat a higher rated Iwuanyanwu Nationale 1-0.
The Bauchi stadium went on to host in 1994. Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi was the sixth host in 1992. It hosted again in 2008.
Sports Village Square recalls that the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna in 1993 became the seventh host. Since then, the arena that was inaugurated on August 2, 1964 hosted again in 1997 and 2003.
The eighth host was Ranchers Bees Stadium in Kaduna in 1998. Ogbemudia Stadium hosted in 2004 as the ninth arena while Liberation Stadium, now renamed Yakubu Gowon Stadium hosted the following year.
The MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta became the 10th stadium to host the then FA Cup in 2006. For the first time, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos hosted the final in 2007 a role it repeatedly played in 2009 and from 2011 to 2016.
The 12th stadium to host the final match was Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano in 2010.
Past National Cup Final Matches Venues
Association Ground, Lagos (Later Lagos City Stadium) 1945 to 1972)
Liberty Stadium, Ibadan (Now Obafemi Awolowo Stadium) 1972 replay.
National Stadium, Lagos. 1974 -1987, 1990, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1999-2002.
Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan. 1988.
Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi. 1989, 1994.
Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi. 1992, 2008.
Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna. 1993, 1997, 2003.
Ranchers Bees Stadium, Kaduna. 1998.
Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin. 2004.
Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt (now Yakubu Gowon Stadium). 2005.
Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos. 2007, 2009, 2011 – 2016.
Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano. 2010.
Agege Stadium, Lagos.
A total of 30 women coaches have concluded the first of a three-module CAF C-License program in the Federal Capital, Abuja and are expected to commence a two-week internship with different teams in a few days.
Peopled largely by former Nigerian internationals and other serving coaches, the group was taken through a full week of rigorous classroom and practical sessions by a team of coach educators and resource persons, in a baptism of what the next two modules are likely to entail,
NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen, told thenff.com that the first module has shown that the women coaches are actually desirous of learning.
“I am very much impressed with their attitude, mannerisms and conduct through the first module. They impressed everyone, and the coach educators also told me they were impressed, and are looking forward to having them back for the second and concluding modules.
“We are grateful for the leadership of the NFF for the support and encouragement for coach-education programmes all the time.”
The participants will return to Abuja for the second module that is scheduled for 12th – 20th August, after which they will go on another two-week internship, 23rd August – 4th September. The third module, which comes with examinations for the participants, will take place 9th – 19th September.
Dr. Terry Babatunde Eguaoje, NFF’s Head of Education, is among the coach educators’ team, which also includes Coaches Isah Ladan Bosso, Wemimo Olanrewaju and Lanrence Ndaks.
Among the 30 participants are former Super Falcons’ stars Precious Dede, Joy Jegede, Esther Michael, Maureen Eke, Otas Ogbonmwan, Vera Okolo, Cecilia Nku, Taiwo Ajobiewe, Gloria Ofoegbu and Amenze Aighewi. There are also Barr. Victoria Nlemigbo and retired FIFA referee Folusho Ajayi.
Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President and a FIFA Council member, Amaju Pinnick has expressed shock at last month’s outburst by Super Eagles’ striker, Victor Osimhen against Finidi George.
“It is very unfortunate”, Amaju Pinnick remarked on an Arise Television programme. The former NFF president said he had put a call to Osimhen who was very remorseful while the telephone conversation lasted.
“I told him he has to apologise, and I am sure he will if he has not yet done so.” Amaju remarked that he could not comprehend what went wrong as Osimhen was the most cool-headed player in the national team.
He went on to remark that Finidi George was not a personality to be disregarded like that. He has won virtually every honour available during his playing days and was a member of the Super Eagles at their peak when Nigeria ranked fifth in the world.
“I believe players should learn to respect their coaches”, said the former NFF boss.
Nigeria’s FIFA Council member, Amaju Pinnick has told the world that he has always been an advocate of foreign coaches for the Super Eagles. He spoke on Arise Television while fielding questions with Reuben Abati, Rufai Oseni and Ayo Mairo-Ese.
His reason for being averse to indigenous coaches stemmed from lack of respect for them by the players.
“Yes, the Nigerian coaches have the requisite knowledge and the technical ability, but modern football is beyond that in managing players.
“Will the national team players respect the coach? The sad thing is that they don’t”, said Amaju Pinnick.
He however revealed that he supported the appointment of Finidi George owing to the circumstances that the NFF found itself after the exit of Jose Peseiro.
The NFF, he revealed, had no money to hire a foreign coach. The body therefore went for the most available option, Finidi to ensure a smooth transition.
“Finidi was part of the coaching crew of Peseiro and it was therefore logical to ask him to continue.
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