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FEDERATION CUP

Federation Cup: Lagos, Ijebu-Ode to host semi final matches on Thursday

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The Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, where the Nigeria national cup began in 1945

The Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, where the Nigeria national cup began in 1945  and Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu-Ode will be the host venues for the semi finals of men’s edition of this year’s Federation Cup competition.

Bendel Insurance FC and Warri Wolves will lock horns at the MJA on Lagos Island, and whichever side is able to climb higher on the land will be eligible to play for the prestigious trophy next month.

Rangers International, who won the Africa Cup Winners’ Cup in 1977 after a string of FA Cup (former name of Federation Cup) triumphs, will square up to ambitious Plateau United FC at the Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu-Ode.

It was at Ijebu-Ode that Warri Wolves shocked Lobi Stars 2-1 to reach the semi finals.

Rangers International pipped giant-killers Doma United 1-0 at the Akure Township Stadium in their own quarter-final, while Plateau United turned back hopeful Kwara United by the same margin in Abuja.

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Bendel Insurance defeated Sunshine Stars at the Awka Township Stadium to reach the last four.

Federation Cup Semi-Finals (Men)

  • Bendel Insurance (Edo) Vs Warri Wolves (Delta) – Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos – 01/06/23 – 4pm
  • Plateau United (Plateau) Vs Rangers Int’l (Enugu) – Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode – 01/06/23 – 4pm

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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FEDERATION CUP

History-making as El Kanemi becomes the first club to lift Nigeria’s Cup at Onikan since 1971

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 El-Kanemi Warriors celebrate with their trophy and dummy cheque of N50million

What a splendid season it has been for El-Kanemi Warriors! First they got promoted into the Nigeria Premier League. They are the winners of the President Federation Cup, following up earlier victories of 1991 and 1992 and then cap it up with a ticket to play at the CAF Confederation Cup next season.  

 The 2-0 win over Abia Warriors tells just a bit of their dominance. They were undoubtedly the better side as they fired full cylinder from the beginning of their encounter with Abia Warriors who were contended to merely chasing loose balls.

  The El kanemi Warriors were blazing from beginning to the end and became the first team to lift the national cup at the competition’s place of birth since the then WNDC Shooting Stars won on 23 October 1971 – the last concluded Nigeria FA Cup at Onikan.

 Nimble-footed midfielder Nasiru Salihu, who would be crowned most valuable player of the competition, dazzled in the middle of the park and scored both goals to leave the Abia Warriors to look to fight another day.  

Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt won their ninth title and El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri won their third title as Nigeria’s National Cup (now known as President Federation Cup) grand finale took place at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos on Saturday.

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In the women’s final, an enthralling encounter between the Angels from Garden City and Naija Ratels from the Federal Capital, and which kicked off at 1pm beside the Lagos Waterfront, was decided by a goal scored from the penalty spot by Blessing Okpe right before the half-time whistle.

Coach Whyte Ogbonda, who lifted his first trophy as head coach, praised his players for their dedication, resilience and hard work. “This victory is a testament to the team’s resilience and determination. We are thrilled to be champions of the President Federation Cup.”

Naija Ratels’ head coach, Bankole Olowookere, commended his young squad for their progress to the final. “Although we did not get the desired result, I am proud of my players for their fighting spirit. We will learn from this experience and come back stronger.”

AWARDS

WOMEN’S COMPETITION

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Winner: Rivers Angels (N25million)

Runner-Up: Naija Ratels (N10million)

MVP: Blessing Okpe (Rivers Angels FC)

Top Scorer: Agama Ziperefeghe (Naija Ratels FC)

Best Goalkeeper: Agatha Thompson (Rivers Angels FC)

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MEN’S COMPETITION

Winner: El-Kanemi Warriors (N50million)

Runner-Up: Abia Warriors (N20million)

MVP: Nasiru Salihu (El-Kanemi Warriors FC)

Top Scorer: Emmanuel Ogbole (Kwara United FC)

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Best Goalkeeper: Ali Ishaku (Abia Warriors FC)

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FEDERATION CUP

The longest Federation Cup match in history

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

 The Enugu Rangers and Jigawa Golden Stars’ encounter of   November 18, 1995, in the Challenge Cup third-place match might have offered little in terms of thrills. But it could earn a place in football record books.

   The drab encounter at the National Stadium, Lagos, lasted for  135 minutes.

This  could be a record as the longest duration of a Challenge Cup match.  

Anwalu Ibrahim shot the Jigawa Golden Stars ahead after he had converted a pass from Habibu Inuwa to beat Enugu Rangers’ goalkeeper, Emeka Ijeh, in the 33rd minute. Enugu Rangers levelled up in the 62nd minute through substitute player, Fred Okpalo.

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   At full time, score lines stood at 1-1.The mandatory extra time could not break the tie.

Then followed the penalty shootout that was filled with amazing drama.

In the first set of five kicks for each side, both scored twice to stalemate score line at 3-3.

Thereafter, one after the other, players on both sides missed from the penalty spot!

   There were 11 penalty kicks in a row that were lost, arousing the sleepy crowd that watched with amazement. Jigawa’s skipper Ibrahim Gwadale eventually scored in the “sudden-death” situation to put final score line at 4-3 in favour of his side.

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The encounter produced one of the longest streaks of penalty misses.

The report, perhaps ,could have found a place in the famous Guinness Book of Records if entry had been made for it.

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FEDERATION CUP

Warriors beat different drums at Nigeria Cup final

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The Nigeria President Federation Cup final is a battle of Warriors. On one hand is the cup’s familiar face, the El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri who are playing the final match for the fourth time ever.

  On the other, are the Abia Warriors, playing their first ever national cup final match and thus dreaming for a continental debut. 

  El-Kanemi were winners in 1991 and 1992 and losing finalists in 2001. 

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