A memorable grand finale!

And, indeed, Teslim Balogun, whom the venue is named after, was one of the heroes as the late super striker was celebrated alongside a host of other past stars of the Cup in what the Main Organizing Committee aptly tagged ‘Parade of Stars’. The Parade of Stars was only one of the many facets of […]

And, indeed, Teslim Balogun, whom the venue is named after, was one of the heroes as the late super striker was celebrated alongside a host of other past stars of the Cup in what the Main Organizing Committee aptly tagged ‘Parade of Stars’.

The Parade of Stars was only one of the many facets of the Grand Finale that made Sunday, 26th August 2012 a memorable one that is sure to stay in the memory of many ball fans and indeed all Nigerians for a long time to come.

The Organizing Committee, which had Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development in Lagos State, Mr. Wahid Enitan Oshodi and first Vice President of Nigeria Football Federation, Chief Mike Umeh as co-Chairmen, worked very hard to ensure that everything went smooth on the day.

Of course, the path to a sumptuous day at Teslim Balogun Stadium was beautifully-laid weeks back when Governor Raji Fashola (SAN) presented to the NFF, a new, all-silver trophy for the competition.

Surely, that gesture was well-appreciated by the NFF and even the teams taking part in the competition, as the battle became much, more fierce with eyes on the giant trophy. Big teams tumbled along the way and there was no doubt that whichever teams made it to the Grand Finale would repay the fans for turning up.

The semi finals were always going to be hard nuts with Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi and Kano Pillars FC, both eyeing the Premier League crown as well, drawn to clash in Calabar, while surprise elements Prime FC were up against champions Heartland of Owerri, who were not ready to let go.

Penalty shoot-outs had to come to the rescue and Lobi Stars and Heartland emerged winners to set up a titanic battle at Teslim Balogun Stadium.

I congratulate Heartland FC for retaining the title, even as everyone thought the match was going into penalties before the late winner. Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt was the last Club to retain the Federation Cup, when it defeated Enugu Rangers on penalties in 2007 following another penalty shoot-out triumph over Bendel Insurance in 2006.

Lobi Stars also deserve their One Million Naira take-home after a hearty fight for the trophy in a fair and focused manner. Some of their players actually turned the eye with a gritty performance.

Prime FC also deserve a mention and their Half-Million Naira cheque was well-deserved after they battled Kano Pillars to standstill in the third place and then kept their nerves better to win on penalties.

May I use this opportunity and platform to heartily commend Governor Raji Fashola (SAN) for his commitment to the cause of the Federation Cup. He always finds time to be at the grand finale no matter his schedule. The Nigeria football family also appreciates him for his support and other initiatives that are in the interest of Nigeria football development and the youth in general.

I also praise the Deputy Chairman of the PDP and a former NFF Board Member, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, who was there in person, as well as the amiable Chairman of House of Reps Committee on Sports, Hon. Godfrey Ali Gaiya.

The Honourable Commissioner for Sports, Lagos State, Wahid Enitan Oshodi, Chief Mike Umeh, other members of the Organizing Committee, Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association, Barrister Akinwunmi and his members, aides of the Commissioner and officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development, NFF Executive Committee members and Management, Chairmen and Secretaries of State FAs and other stakeholders made the day one to remember.

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and Deputy Governor of Benue State, Chief Steven Lawani (OFR) also turned up with good number of their Executive Council members to cheer their different teams in the final match.

Yeah, there was a shortfall in expected spectatorship but the Lagos State Government must be commended for the innovation of getting school children into the stands to give us a brilliant atmosphere.

Surely, the Federation Cup can only get better with the template that has been fashioned and the kind of passionate commitment that we have from all those involved in making it better and more glorious.

It is my fervent belief that with our teams earning better results in international competitions, the fans will again be excited to turn up for football matches and support our teams the way they used to.

There are, of course, several ideas that are being pulled together and mulled over as we look to make next year’s competition an even more grand affair.

A fresh list of heroes will be compiled for recognition – something to look forward to for those who have shone brightly in the Federation Cup, considering the kind of attention that the persons honoured last Sunday received.

You only needed to look at their different faces on Sunday to know how delighted they were to have their past exploits recognized in such a forum.

While late Teslim ‘Thunder’ Balogun was represented by his son, the late Haruna Ilerika (dynamite of a midfielder) was represented by his widow.

Coaches Alabi Aisien and Amodu Shuaibu, and veteran broadcaster and journalist of repute Fabio Lanipekun beamed from ear to ear as they joined the former playing heroes in the stands and later to receive medals at the touchline.

Victor Oduah, captain of the Green Eagles team that won the gold medal of the football event of 2nd All-Africa Games, at the National Stadium, Lagos; Ismaila Mabo, defensive midfielder of note with Mighty Jets FC of Jos (which notably reached the final on 10 occasions and

NEVER won the trophy); Muyiwa Oshode, ace striker for Lagos ECN and later Stationery Stores FC of Lagos; Christian Chukwu, captain of the Green Eagles that won African Cup of Nations in 1980; Emmanuel Okala, goalkeeper who was dreaded by all strikers in his days; Sani Mohammed, creative midfielder with Stationery Stores; Moses Kpakor, captain of that much-respected BCC Lions squad of the late 1980s and early 1990s and; Peter Rufai, another goalkeeping legend.

The great thing is that most of these players also shone brightly for Nigeria at international level. Apart from captaining Bendel Insurance, Oduah reigned with the Green Eagles; Mabo played for the Green Eagles and later coached the Super Falcons to several continental triumphs, Olympics and FIFA Women’s World Cup; Oshode played for Nigeria at the 1968 Olympics; Chukwu captained Rangers and captained Nigeria, and was also Assistant Coach when Eagles won the

Nations Cup in 1994, and today member of NFF Technical Committee; Okala was with Rangers and reigned with Green Eagles; Mohammed also shone for Green Eagles; Kpakor was Clemens Westerhorf’s famous ‘spoiler’ in the Super Eagles and; Rufai kept goal for Nigeria in two FIFA World Cup finals.

NEXT WEEK: The War In Monrovia