FEDERATION CUP
Nigeria national football Cup gets new sponsors
For the third time in its 78-year history, the Nigerian national football competition is having its third sponsors.
Before now, it had attracted the interest of Coca-Cola and Aiteo. The latest sponsors are Tingo.
The national cup which began as the Governor’s Cup in 1945 and changed to the All Nigeria Challenge Cup at the AGM of the then NFA on 28 February 1945 had been called the Coca-Cola FA Cup, the Federation Cup, Aiteo Cup and lately NFF/Tingo Cup following the signing of sponsorship agreement with the NFF on Thursday.
It was the first partnership agreement in the life of the current NFF administration which came into power last 30 March.
According to a press release by the NFF, it had taken some months to seal because Ibrahim Gusau’s team places more premium on integrity and credibility of partnerships and relationships than the number of such relationships.
“We took our time to conduct due diligence on the company and we found them to be upright and credible. For us, it is about credibility and integrity.
“A number of corporates have approached us for partnerships but we are taking our time to evaluate things.
“I congratulate Tingo for their steadfastness to ensure the actualization of this relationship. We believe it is the beginning of great things that will happen between the company and the NFF going forward.”
NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi added that the Federation is delighted to secure sponsorship for the oldest and most glamorous football championship in the land, and would go extra mile to ensure that Tingo derives the appropriate mileage from the title sponsorship.
Chief Operating Officer of Tingo, Mr. Peter Owokolo commended the NFF for the opportunity given to the company to engage Nigeria Football at such a high level, and promised to explore areas of further positive contributions to the Nigeria game.
“We are honoured to be here and to be able to take the title sponsorship of such a prestigious competition as the Federation Cup. It is a privilege. We are committed to promoting and positively projecting Nigeria Football in every way we can.”
The Federation Cup began as the Governor’s Cup in 1945, and has been addressed variously as the Challenge Cup and the Football Association (FA) Cup over the decades. It became Federation Cup in 2008, when the Nigeria Football Association became Nigeria Football Federation following the approval of its Congress in Makurdi, Benue State.
Also at the event were Tingo’s Project Coordinator, Dr. Segun Sanni; the Chairman/CEO of Skills and Dribbles Marketing Company (facilitators of the agreement), Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq; NFF Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme; Director of Finance and Administration, Mr. E. C. Kadiri; Director of Communications, Mr. Ademola Olajire; Director of Legal, Barr. Okey Obi; Director of Audit, Mr. Yohanna Mathias; Head of Marketing and Sponsorship, Mr. Alizor Chuks; Head of Protocol, Mr. Barnabas Joro; Head of International Competitions, Mr. Enebi Achor and; Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria Women Football League, Ms Modupe Shabi.
FEDERATION CUP
History-making as El Kanemi becomes the first club to lift Nigeria’s Cup at Onikan since 1971
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.
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
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)
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)
Best Goalkeeper: Ali Ishaku (Abia Warriors FC)
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.
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.
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.
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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