By Victor Enyinnaya, Lagos on November 22, 2015

The tradition and glamour that have made the Federation Cup finals thick over these years would be re-enacted today as Lobi Stars of Makurdi and Akwa United as they tango each other in a supremacy battle on who takes home this year’s Federation Cup trophy. It will be fight to finish as both sides are already talking tough on their chances in the game that who wins will have the opportunity of bearing the country’s flag in the Confederation Cup for next year. The kick-off time for the men is 4pm today inside the main bowl of Teslim Baogun Stadium Surulere, Lagos.

To that effect, fans who will throng the Teslim Balogun Stadium Surulere, Lagos will have their hands full via explosive football exchange as these old customers engage each in a supremacy battle of wits and brawns.

They are playing in the Nigeria Professional Football League and the meeting sets to look difficult as they knew themselves inside out and so would size each other same. The Makurdi- based Stars have won this championship twice and aiming at the third slot won’t amount to asking for too much especially when they could grab anything during the league competition.

Dominic Iorfa-led side would leave nothing to chance to ensure it will win this one as Christmas gift for their Governor and teeming fans of the football loving North Central State. Lobi has come a long way and as an oldie in the Nigerian football scene, it will prove that, however, Iorfa has acknowledged that it won’t be a tea party against the invaders from Uyo. He assured that his boys have assured him of optimum outing.

In that vein, veteran tactician of Akwa United, Zachery Baraje has been talking tough on the chances of the first timers to the oldest competition in the land and vowed to turn Lobi Stars back. According to him, his lads are is deadly mood and as moving train, any obstacle on its way would be out rightly crushed. It is the language in the camp and we have vowed to make true nature of it to the fullest.

The Uyo based side’s optimism may have been reinforced by the order by her Governor, Emmanuel Udom that they should go, see and conquer and come hear from him. His Excellency’s body language is unambiguously clear and so Baraje and lads have been licensed to kill. These signals from both camps no doubt would make the game thick and fans are in for a raw deal as they would witness football at its best enhance and exploring full value for their money.

Head or tail it won’t be a mere Cup final bearing in mind the kind of aura that follows the Challenge Cup history.

It would be recalled that Lobi Stars and Akwa United came thus far after securing slim 1-0 wins over Enugu Rangers and Nasarawa United respectively.

Eche Idakwo was the hero for Lobi Stars as they sealed their place in the Lagos finals after a keenly contested semi final duel in Kastina against a Rangers side.

For Akwa United also, the League did not give them much to cheer, but the Akwa Ibom State team will be hoping to make history with their first Federation Cup title win this season.

Aniekpeno Udoh scored the only goal of the game for Akwa United in the 28th minute to book a place in the final of the Federation Cup in the club’s history.

The Nigeria Football Federation will use this year’s finals to honour players and sports journalists that have over these years made the annual football summit thick and glamorous through their hard work and diligence. Enyimba International FC 2015 Nigeria Professional Football League kings were the defending champions.​

Source Daily Sports

Posted November 22, 2015

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