Rivers state darling football
club, Rivers Angels FC last Sunday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos won the women’s 2013 Federation Cup title, courtesy of a commanding 3-0 victory over Nasarawa Amazons.
The victory marked the fourth time, the third on the trot the Angels would be winning the title after triumphing in 2011and 2012. As a result, they have now won the trophy for keeps.
The women’s final kicked off a memorable 68th edition of the Federation Cup which also had Enyimba International FC of Aba contesting the men’s version against Warri Wolves of Delta state.
Apparently motivated by a pre-match pep talk by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports, Mrs Comfort Nwihioka, which assured them that the government and people of Rivers State were behind them, and Governor Amaechi’s commitment to rewarding success, the Angels turned on the style to rout the Amazons.
A final that kicked off with a promise of a keen contest, owing to the Amazons’ initial enterprise tapered to a one- sided affair after Gloria Ofoegbu put the Angels ahead in the 45th minute.
On resumption of the second half, Angels further proved their class by dominating proceedings. Elizabeth Addo made it 2-0 in the 58th minute to take the game beyond their opponents, while Ofoegbu grabbed her brace and Angels’ third goal in the 82nd minute to throw their camp into celebration.
In the men’s final, it was a perfect advertisement for Nigerian domestic football as Enyimba and Wolves lived up to their pre- match hype. Both clubs played exquisite football to the admiration of the spectators.
In deed, the final promised to be an attraction as supporters of the clubs struggled to out do each other in colourful demonstration of support for their respective teams. As hostilities began, it was Enyimba that that thrilled with good possession and flair. Warri Wolves, however took the lead in each half, only for the Peoples Elephant(Enyimba) to draw level twice to take the game to penalty shootout.
The ensued shootout saw Super Eagles defender, Azubuike Egwuekwe miss his kick to hand the title to Enyimba 4-5 on penalties.
While Enyimba and their fans celebrated with the usual Enyimba – Enyi song, Wolves’ players mourned the loss of mouth watering largesse, one 2013 toyota Avensis car, each player and two weeks all expenses paid tour of France and one million naira per goal, promised them by the Delta state government.
Other highlights of the final were the honour and recognition given to some of the veterans of the Federation Cup, Muda Lawal, Amusa Shittu, Paul Hamilton, Sebastian Brodericks-Imasuen,Jossy Dombraye,Joe Erico, Toyin Ayinla, Stanley Eguma, Dominc Iorfa and Walter Oyatogun, and the unveiling of the media tribune dedicated to late commentators, Chief Ishola Folorunsho and Ernest Okonkwo by Lagos state governor, Babatunde Fashola.