The ancient City of Benin is on tenterhooks of high expectations as all arrangements have been concluded for this year’s AITEO Cup final in the women and men competitions, holding at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Sunday.

Football fans were denied the annual serving last year as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic, which has disrupted football activities and other areas of human endeavour across the universe since the beginning of year 2020.

This has further increased the appetite of fans, enthusiasts, stakeholders and those seeking the undiluted entertainment that football matches of Cup final qualities offer.

The fact of either of the two teams on both sides of the finals

winning their first major trophy nationally is another theme that has shot up anxiety, passion and expectations among their players, fans and officials.

Bayelsa Queens FC, who surprisingly pummelled perennial League and FA Cup champions Rivers Angels by five goals in the semi finals are buoyed up for a big encounter against FC Robo Queens of Lagos, who ended the expressed ambitions of Edo Queens 5-3 on penalties after both teams were stalemated following a 0-0 draw in regulation time.

The queens from Yenagoa have in their armoury a number of players who have tasted and still savouring international exposure and experience, including Super Falcons’ midfielders Joy Bokiri and Peace Efih, defender Abidemi Ibe and forwards Mary Anjoh, Joy Jerry and Charity Reuben.

While Lagos –based FC Robo Queens have produced a number of international stars such as four-time African Player of the Year and Super Falcons’ captain Asisat Oshoala and Rasheedat Ajibade, they are currently led by one of the most exciting forwards in Nigeria women’s

football, nimble-footed Gift Monday.

Former junior internationals Esther Onyenezide and Folashade Ijamilusi are also on the books of the

Lagos Dames.

In the men’s final, Nasarawa United are determined to scoop their first national trophy since the club’s formation 18 years ago.

Experience and exposure to continental football at the level of CAF Confederation Cup a few years ago was sweet, so the Solid Miners have been looking for another opportunity.

Victory on Sunday will restore them to the continent, and they bank on the marksmanship of Silas Nwankwo (who emerged top scorer in this year’s Nigeria Professional

Football League with 19 goals) and the dead ball wizardry of Chigozie Obasi to puncture the ambitions of Bayelsa United.

Nasarawa United also have the quality of Anas Yusuf, Tebo Franklin, Shammasu Mohammed, Joshua Obaje and Adamu Hassan to thrust forward at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

Second-tier Bayelsa United, who have had an amazing run in this year’s campaign, upending NPFL teams Rangers International of Enugu, Lobi Stars of Makurdi and Rivers United of Port Harcourt, are hoping to become the first team from Nigeria’s second-tier to win the Cup in 20

years.

The last team to achieve that were Port Harcourt boys, Dolphins FC who bumped El-Kanemi Warriors 2-0 in 2001.

In their arsenal, they have an efficient goalkeeper in John Shaibu, and can also count on the grit, guts and gumption of former Flying Eagles’ star Bernard Okorowanta, Inikurogha Okardi, Tarabina Biweribo, Endurance Ededibiri and Gabriel Biriduba when the going gets tough in Benin City.

The women’s final will commence at 4pm, with the men’s final starting at 6pm.

At stake are prize monies of N25 million for the winner of the men’s competition and N10 million for the winner of the women’s competition.

The runner –up for the men’s competition will pocket N10 million, with the runner –up for the women’s event going home with N5 million.