Fed Cup: Tough road to Teslim Balogun stadium

Sunday, August 26, has been fixed for the finals of the 67th edition of the competition, which will be played at the Teslim Balogun Stadium. Cup holders, Heartland, Plateau United, Kano Pillars, Crown, Sharks, Prime, Enyimba and Lobi Stars have emerged as strong contenders for the 2012 Federation Cup. Matches were decided in Lagos, Ibadan, […]

Sunday, August 26, has been fixed for the finals of the 67th edition of the competition, which will be played at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

Cup holders, Heartland, Plateau United, Kano Pillars, Crown, Sharks, Prime, Enyimba and Lobi Stars have emerged as strong contenders for the 2012 Federation Cup.

Matches were decided in Lagos, Ibadan, Bauchi and Port Harcourt respectively.

Against all expectations, the upset continued as Nigeria Premier League (NPL) leaders, Enugu Rangers, turned out to be the biggest casualty of the zonal preliminary stage.

Rangers, which have failed to win the Cup in four appearances (1990, 2000, 2004, 2007) couldn’t bounce back after a shock 0-1 loss to unfancied Prime FC in their first match.

The Okey Emordi tutored lads struggled to get over Premier League rivals, Sharks, but failed to get the required result. After two consecutive defeats, the party was over for the Enugu lads.

Other casualties in the top flight included Gombe United and Kwara United.

Like Rangers, Kwara United couldn’t raise their game against newly-promoted El-Kanemi, in Lagos on Day One.

Kano Pillars compounded their woes, which eventually led to the dismissal of gaffer, Tunde Sanni and his assistant Zubairu Ali, couldn’t make any difference in the last match against Crown FC.

A long list of top flight teams had been dumped out of the competition before the zonal preliminaries.

Four-time champions, Dolphins, 3SC, Wikki Tourists, Akwa United, ABS FC and CAF Champions League campaigners, Sunshine Stars were thrown out by lower division sides.

Interestingly, three of the lower division clubs; Prime FC, Crown FC and Plateau United, that conquered these top sides survived the heat at the zonal preliminaries.

Prime FC eliminated Wikki in the Round of 60 and had a convincing performance in Ibadan where Rangers couldn’t reproduce their form in the NPL.

In Lagos, Crown FC did not lose a match and qualified at the expense of Kwara United.

The team which has dropped to the amateur ranks got a draw against Kano Pillars and newly-promoted El-Kanemi before beating Kwara United on Matchday Three.

Plateau United caged Dolphins and displayed an impressive showing against Premier League sides, Heartland and Gombe United, in Port Harcourt.

It is the first time Prime FC and Crown FC will reach the last eight, while Plateau United were champions in 1998.

Plateau United supremo, Bitrus Bewarang believes his side can win the Cup again.

“Plateau United couldn’t return to the elite class, but it is obvious that we have a good team. Our chances are bright,” he said to SuperSport.com.

The Cup race continues tomorrow with the last eight teams in contention for the semifinals.