Habeeb Akinfegbe
It's another final of the Federation Cup, formerly knowns as the Nigerian FA Cup. Four teams will compete for the two titles on offer at the Teslim Balogun Stadium. Akwa United and Lobi Stars are to lock horns in the men’s final while Sunshine Queens and Bayelsa Queens will do battle in the women’s final.
To reach the men's final, the Makurdi side beat Niger Tornadoes, BJ Foundation and Enugu Rangers. They edged Tornadoes 1-0 and also had the better of BJ Foundation on penalties after regulation time had ended 1-1. The semi final battle was the most fiercely contested against Rangers but the reduction of the Flying Antelopes to nine men aided Lobi’s quest to qualify for the final as they triumphed 1-0 in the semi final tie in Katsina.
Akwa United also struggled in the NPFL and even had to rely on a home win in the final match of the season against final opponents, Lobi Stars whom they beat 1-0. But their form enroute to the Federation Cup final has been awesome and they could win their first title in their maiden appearance in the final. Led by veteran coach Zachary Baraje and helped by the goals of Friday Ubong, the Promise Keepers cruised to this final after defeating Nasarawa United 1-0 in the semi final tie played at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta on August 19. The Promise Keepers began the 2015 Federation Cup campaign with a 6-0 annihilation of Dalhatu FC and they followed that up with further victories over Peacemakers, Prime FC, Niger Tornadoes Feeders before the win over the Solid Miners in the last four.
Both Lobi and Akwa met twice in the league last season and cancelled each other out with identical 1-0 margins. Sunday’s final will provide the adequate platform to settle the stalemate between both sides besides on the alluring stage of the Federation Cup.
This year there will be a new women’s champion after defending champions Rivers Angels were bundled out in the quarter finals of the competition by ambitious Confluence Queens 2-1.
Bayelsa Queens are smarting from the recently held Nigeria Women Football League Super Six where they placed second after a close defeat to Rivers Angels in Umuahia. And with Sunshine Queens their only hindrance to collecting a silverware this season, coach Rolandson Odeh’s side are no doubt the favourites.
The Yenagoa side beat Edo Queens 2-0 in the quarter finals before decimating the ambition of Confluence Queens 1-0 in the semi final. While Sunshine Queens sent FC Robo packing 2-0 in the last eight before an energy-sapping semi final where they had to rely on penalties to beat Nasarawa Amazons 3-2 after a goalless 90 minutes.
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