A post mortem on the NNL Super Cup
The competition which featured four clubs namely, Akwa United, Rising Stars of Akure, Jigawa Golden Stars and host club, Wikki Tourists of Bauchi began on November 19 and ended on November 20 at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium. While Jigawa Golden Stars and Wikki Tourists gained promotion to the NPL from Group A, Akwa and […]
The competition which featured four clubs namely, Akwa United, Rising Stars of Akure, Jigawa Golden Stars and host club, Wikki Tourists of Bauchi began on November 19 and ended on November 20 at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium.
While Jigawa Golden Stars and Wikki Tourists gained promotion to the NPL from Group A, Akwa and Rising Stars picked their tickets from Group B. It is important to note that three of the clubs, Akwa, Jigawa and Wikki Tourists are returnees having been part of the NPL before they were relegated to the lower division. Rising Stars would be making their debut in the top flight when the NPL resumes next year.
At the end of the competition, Wikki Tourists emerged over all winners with seven points from three matches, followed by Rising Stars with five points; Akwa United came third with three points while Jigawa settled for the last position with only two points.
For those who attended the Super Cup, it was an opportunity to have a feel of what the clubs would offer when hostilities commence in the NPL. Even as they did nlot have enough preparations, the teams gave a good account of themselves just as the coaches said it provided them with the opportunity to assess their players.
Technical Adviser of Akwa United, Solomon Ogbeide said even as his team could not win the Super Cup, he was happy because he used the competition to test some of his players.
“The Super Cup provided the opportunity for me to have a closer look at some of the players. Although we did not win, I am contended. Nobody should judge us based on the performance in this competition. I have got what I wanted”.
The Super Cup in addition provided ample opportunity for the board of the Nigeria National League to show its organizational ability. Headed by its Chairman, Chief Emeka Inyama, the committee staged a hitch free competition. The sponsorship from the Bauchi State government was judiciously utilized as the competition was completely devoid of the usual wrangling at such tournaments.
All the participating clubs and match officials were provided with decent accommodation and supported in so many other ways to make their stay in Bauchi stress free. The chairman of the NNL and his board members worked round the clock to ensure the competition ran seamlessly.
It was also an avenue for managers of some of the NPL clubs to scout for players. Kano Pillars coach, Ladan Bosso was a regular face at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium. He watched all the matches with keen interest.
Even though the competition ended without any major ugly incidents, football hooliganism reared its ugly head on the day Wikki Tourists played against Jigawa Golden Stars. The match witnessed unsporting behavior from the home fans who attempted to invade the pitch in order to assault the match officials.
The police at the match venue had a hectic time trying to restrain the fans from going into the field to molest the officials. The irate fans claimed the match officials did not want their team to beat Jigawa Golden Stars. It was later discovered that the fans’ action was fueled by the wrong assumption that the winner of the Super Cup would represent Nigeria in next year’s WAFU Cup.
The behavour of the fans as condemnable as it was provided an insight into what the NNL board would be confronted with when the new season commences. Hooliganism is one challenge that the Inyama led board must be ready to tackle head on.
At the elaborate closing ceremony, the organizers doled out a giant trophy, plaques and cash prizes to winners. It is worthy to note that while clubs in the NPL which played the longest season in the history of football leagues went home empty handed, the NNL which is battling with teething problems was able to reward its best performers with cash.
If what transpired at the Super Cup is anything to go by, then clubs in the National League are in for good times as the board of the NNL is poised to give them a new lease of life. Going by the pedigree of the man in charge of the board, nothing less than total transformation of the National League is expected. The NNL chairman, Chief Inyama is a marketing guru and should be able to bring his wealth of experience and business connections to bear on the league.