Nigeria Sports Arena

  Glo NPFL side, FC IfeanyiUbah has been thrown out of this year’s Federation Cup competition after a tough duel with Nasarawa United at the Kwara Sports Complex, Ilorin on Wednesday.   The Lafia kings reached the semi finals with a 1-0 win, and will now play fellow Glo NPFL side Akwa United in the semi finals.   Akwa United were stretched to the rubber by surprise packets Niger Tornadoes Feeders. Feeders had booted out top division club, Dolphins FC on penalties in the Round of 16 and again came close, before losing 3-4 on penalties after a battling 2-2 draw at the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi.   In Lokoja, Lobi Stars also shoved out another surprise package, BJ Foundation of Benin 2-1. A tantalizing semi final is on the cards as Lobi get set to battle Enugu Rangers.   In Abuja, Enugu Rangers’ march to a sixth title was sustained with a 3-0 thrashing of El-Kanemi Warriors.   In the women’s event, champions Rivers Angels were el...

Spotlight FC attacking midfielder Ikechukwu Uzor has praised his team mates for their level of maturity in the 3-1 victory over Idah United in the round of 64 of the Federation Cup. A brace from Usule Martins and one goal netted by Uzor ensured that the first half ended 3-0 in favour of Spotlight at the Rwang Pam Township Stadium. Idah United grabbed a consolation in the dying moments of the game. “The lads were fantastic, they showed maturity against the non-league side. We are happy to have progressed to the next round of the competition,” Uzor was quoted by Nigerian League reporter Ademetan Abayomi. “We have to keep playing in this competition,” the midfielder continued. “Spotlight have a very good spirit and we will continue to show it. We have very good players and very good staff and we are going to improve.” The Katsina-based side will shift its attention to the match day one of the Nigeria National League as they are on the road to Kogi ...

A quality performance by Waheed Popoola inspired Prime Football Club  to beat none league side, Christ Ambassador Football Club of Lagos, 2-1 in the Federation Cup Round of 64. In the all-important Cup tie, Prime got the curtain raiser after 14 minutes with Waheed Popoola, setting up Damola Fakayode to slot the ball into the net. Christ Ambassador rallied back to level the contest in the 23rd minute via penalty at the MKO Abiola Stadium Abeokuta. Prime got the job done in the 44th minute as Christ Ambassador were unable to withstand the firepower of Prime midfield maestro Hakeem Olalere and Waheed Popoola attacking prowess.  It was a performance that was characterized by grit and defiance, and it was epitomized by enterprising Waheed Popoola, who set up Segun Eyitayo, for the winning goal. The Church side, laboured in vain in search for the equalizer. Prime will lock horn against J. Atete FC of Warri, who whitewashed Sunshine Stars 3-1 in the round of 32.

Sixteen teams, including the exciting youthful side, Nath Boys FC of Lagos, AA Stars of Sokoto and Kukuruku FC from Edo State are poised for the play-off round of this year’s Federation Cup competition, which comes up on Tuesday, 21st April. The play-off round brings together the rookie teams among those that reached the finals in the States. After the play-off, the winners proceed to the Draws for the National competition, which this year has been set for April 30. Black Cats of Cross River State, Mgbo Ambassadors of Ebonyi and Kwara Football Academy will also be involved in the matches spread across the federation. FIXTURES AA Stars (Sokoto) Vs Kurmi Market (Kano) - Katsina A.B.U FC (Kaduna) Vs Mighty Junior (Benue) - Abuja Inter FC (Enugu) Vs Black Cats (Cross River) - Abakaliki Mgbo Ambassadors (Ebonyi) Vs Pilo FC (Imo) - Aba Kukuruku FC (Edo) Vs God’s Time (Delta) - Lokoja Kwara Academy (Kwara) Vs Maracana FC (Ekiti) – Ibadan Peacemaker FC (Ondo) Vs Nat...

As this year’s Men and Women Federation Cup competitions set to commence with the State preliminaries this weekend, only Yobe State is yet to register for the glamour competition. NFF’s Head of Federation Cup Unit, Ruth David, said on Thursday that all the other 35 States and the FCT have registered different clubs in the two competitions. “Our big worry is Yobe State. Last year, they registered only one club, and two years ago did not register any club at all. We call on the Yobe State Football Association to make efforts to register its clubs for these important competitions before the deadline,” said David.