Federation Cup on the bounce

The occasion was the handing-over of the new trophy for the Federation Cup competition to the Nigeria Football Federation, by the football-loving Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN. Alongside, NFF’s 1st Vice President, Chief Mike Umeh, Executive Committee members Chris Green and Deji Tinubu and General Secretary Musa Amadu, the Chairman […]

The occasion was the handing-over of the new trophy for the Federation Cup competition to the Nigeria Football Federation, by the football-loving Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN. Alongside, NFF’s 1st Vice President, Chief Mike Umeh, Executive Committee members Chris Green and Deji Tinubu and General Secretary Musa Amadu, the Chairman of Lagos State Football Association, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi and his deputy, Alhaji Tade Azeez, we sat in Council Chambers expectantly.

Governor Fashola had to deal with a swearing-in ceremony and then, he was right upon us in the Council Chambers, with the Deputy Governor, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire and members of the Lagos State cabinet. While we sat in the Council Chambers waiting, two other members of the LSFA and the General Manager, Facilities (Lagos), Mr. Godson Uti joined us.

It was a brief but impressive ceremony and the highlight of the occasion, expectedly, was the handing-over of what the NFF Chief Media Officer, Ademola Olajire, rightly called brand-new, all-silver, giant trophy. And it was done in a majestic manner with all the Honourable Commissioners applauding every sentence.

I want to use this platform to say a big ‘Thank You’ to His Excellency, Governor Raji Fashola, the Deputy Governor, Mrs Orelope-Adefulire, the entire Lagos State cabinet, chairman and members of Lagos State Football Association, other dignitaries present (including Hon. Ola Omokhaye, who was Secretary General of then NFA in 1965) and media representatives who witnessed the presentation.

As I said in my brief remark, the Federation Cup (Governor Fashola said he is still making the transition from FA Cup to Federation Cup) is as old as the nation’s football –governing body itself, having started in 1945. It is a competition imbued with so mcuh substance, glamour, thrill, frills and plenty of audacious skills by celebrated actors on the field. Governor Fashola himself recalled names like Kenneth Olayombo, late Haruna Ileruka, Muyiwa Oshode and Ismaila Mabo.

Along the way, some glamour was lost as a result of lack of sponsorship, but Governor Fashola’s gesture and the efforts of the NFF will ensure that the glamour returns in full swing.

The substance is already back with the kind of results we have had in the group stage matches during the week. Remember that Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt and Sunshine Stars of Akure, who finished in top two positions in the Nigeria Premier League last season, were dumped out unceremoniously from the competition before the group stage.

And in the group stage, Enugu Rangers – a club with such awesome record in the Cup – as well as Kwara United bowed out. Clubs like Prime FC of Oshogbo and El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri were holding sway.

No one knows what will happen to those ‘big teams’ that have survived till this stage, before the grand finale at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere on Sunday, August 26.

As we promised Governor Fashola and his cabinet on Monday, the Nigeria Football Federation is determined to bring back the glory of the Federation Cup, and will ensure that this year’s finale is imbued with unique features in terms of presentation and general organization.

Congrats, Gov Oshiomhole and IGP Abubakar…

I am happy for Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole for his well-deserved re-election by the good people of Edo State last weekend.

As the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR himself said in his congratulatory message, Governor Oshiomhole’s triumph is solid testimony of his scorecard, the fact that his people appreciated his work and want him to continue.

Governor Oshiomhole is a good supporter of the activities and programmes of the Nigeria Football Federation and Nigeria football, and we earnestly wish him four more years of meaningful and life-touching service to his people, as well as to Nigeria football.

Also, congratulations to the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji M. D. Abubakar whose appointment was finally confirmed by the National Assembly. This is another keen football man (why not, as a former NFF Board Member) and he sure knows his onions.

I wish IGP Abubakar tremendous success in his job on ensuring safety and security of Nigerians and their property.

Falcons Have What It Takes…

The Draw for this year’s African Women Championship was done during the week with the Super Falcons housed in the same pool with Cameroon, Ethiopia and Cote d’Ivoire. They will play their first two matches in Bata and then fly to Malabo for the game against the Ivorians.

As is the policy of this administration, the Falcons’ crew has already received warning not to under-rate any of the teams, and go for all nine points available in the group phase.

The Cameroonians stopped the Falcons reaching the London 2012 Olympics and that still rankles, but the only way to approach their opening match is to do so with a clear head and with a gameplan that will put the Indomitable Lionesses in their place.

We are the champions of Africa and we will remain the champions of Africa.

Go All Out, Sunshine Stars…

I have faith in the ability of Sunshine Stars FC of Akure to live up to their pledge and take something out of their CAF Champions League group stage, Day 2 match against Etoile Sportive du Sahel of Tunisia this weekend.

The Akure boys might have faltered in their opening group phase match against the Cup holders in Ijebu-Ode two weeks ago but we can only encourage them and believe they will sustain their credible away record against Etoile.

A club like Enyimba FC did not just arrive in Africa – it took several years of being on the road and becoming street-wise to all theb vagaries and strange schemes of African club football.

The opportunity comes for Sunshine Stars to go all out in Sousse and take something out of that game, knowing that they can still make something of their campaign and knowing also they are the only Nigeria side left in hunt for continental honours this year.

NEXT WEEK: Battle of Dar es Salaam and Other Matters