Fed cup: NFF, Lagos gov’t want stadium filled up

Enyimba FC of Aba and Heartland FC of Owerri, two South-East regional rivals, clash in the final match starting at 4pm while Ocean Boys FC and Bayelsa United will battle for third place starting from 2pm NFF President Aminu Maigari said on Friday: “We are appealing to football fans from Lagos, from environs, from everywhere […]

Enyimba FC of Aba and Heartland FC of Owerri, two South-East regional rivals, clash in the final match starting at 4pm while Ocean Boys FC and Bayelsa United will battle for third place starting from 2pm

NFF President Aminu Maigari said on Friday: “We are appealing to football fans from Lagos, from environs, from everywhere in Nigeria to turn up at the Teslim Balogun Stadium and give the right atmosphere to the oldest and most glamorous competition in this country. We enjoin them to come one, come all, and have a wonderful afternoon.”

Lagos State Commissioner for Youth, Sports, and Social Development, Hon. Waheed Enitan Oshodi added: “The Lagos State government wants our football-loving people to be there and give the necessary support to their different teams. It will be an unforgettable experience.

“We believe that both matches will live up to expectation, and Lagos State is set to witness another memorable Federation Cup grand finale”.

Enyimba have lifted the trophy twice in the past six years, beating Lobi Stars on penalties in 2005 and edging Sharks FC of Port Harcourt two years ago. But the People’s Elephant lost last year’s final to Kaduna United FC at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.

Heartland, formerly known as Iwuanyanwu Nationale, after business mogul Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu who bankrolled the club for more than a decade, won the trophy in 1988 with a 3-0 whiplash of Flash Flamingoes of Benin but lost by the odd goal to BCC Lions of Gboko the following year and to Plateau United 10 years later.

Ocean Boys FC of Brass, in the race for third place, won the trophy in 2008 after overcoming Gombe United FC 7-6 on penalties.