By: Gracious Akujobi
The Nigeria Football Federation has congratulated all four teams that have qualified for the grand finale of the 2013 Men and Women Federation Cup competitions, which holds at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos on Sunday, 15th September.
Two-time CAF Champions League winners, Enyimba FC of Aba pipped hard-fighting Lobi Stars 1-0 in an exciting semi final duel at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Wednesday, while Warri Wolves FC edged Akwa United FC in the other semi final played over two days at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi.
Heavy downpour led to stoppage of the Wolves/Akwa United match in Bauchi 15 minutes to the end, with both sides locked at 1-1 in a match watched by visiting FIFA Senior Development Manager (Africa), Francesco Bruscoli and FIFA Development Officer (West Africa), Sampon Kablan.
The last quarter-hour was played out on Thursday with Wolves grabbing a goal to qualify for the showpiece grand finale in Lagos.
In the women’s event, Nasarawa Amazons pipped Bayelsa Queens 1-0 in Ado Ekiti, at the same time that Rivers Angels were turning back Pelican Stars 2-0 in Abuja.
“The NFF duly congratulates all the four teams and let me say clearly here that we are looking forward to a very colourful grand finale. All four teams are quality sides and will bring so much panache to that big day in Lagos,” said Emeka Inyama, Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee.
Super Eagles’ Team B marksmen Ifeanyi Edeh and Etebo Oghenekaro did the job for both Enyimba and Wolves, Edeh netting the only goal in Benin while Oghenekaro swept in the lone goal that sent packing ambitious Akwa United in Bauchi.
Inyama added: “The Federation Cup has certainly gained much more glamour with the women’s event being played alongside the men’s competition. The NFF and Lagos State anticipate great games in the finale in Lagos.”
