Sports
Federation Cup: Confluence Queens Unhappy With Semi-Final Venue
Confluence Queens
Football Club of Lokoja have expressed dissatisfaction with the venue of their semi-final clash in the 2015 Federation Cup as chosen by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
A statement at the weekend signed by the club’s Media Officer, Tosin Ojo, said the club were not handed a “favourable’’ venue with the choice of Oleh Township Stadium in Delta.
“We have come this far in this year’s Women Federation Cup, though no one gave us a chance against Rivers Angels who are the favorites and defending champions of this competition.
“The Federation Cup ought to be played at a neutral ground, but to our dismay, our match against Bayelsa Queens has been fixed for Oleh Township Stadium.
“And we are all aware that Bayelsa Queens’ borrowed home ground Oghara is located in Delta, which is not fair to us,’’ the statement read.
The Confluence Queens qualified for their first-ever semi-final of the competition after edging out Rivers Angels 2-1.
They have now been paired to take on Bayelsa Queens in the semi-finals on Wednesday for a place in the final of the prestigious competition.
The club’s spokesperson, however, noted that while the team was not scared of playing at the venue “both teams ought to have equal favour in the choice of the venue’’.
“We are not scared of playing there, but both teams should have equal favour as regards the choice of venue.
“I want to believe there is a kind of mix-up somewhere. Maybe the NFF are not aware of the fact that Oghara is Bayelsa Queens’ temporary home ground.
“Oghara is located in Delta, and Bayelsa Queens already have familiarity with the Delta FA officials, match officials and fans alike.
“NFF need to do something to ensure equity, neutrality and fairness,’’ Ojo said in the statement.
The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.
Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.
Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.
“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.
“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.
Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.
Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.
Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.
Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.
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