AITEO Cup: Semi final matches rock Lagos, Kano, Owerri…Final matches set for Yenagoa, Asaba
The semi final matches of this year’s AITEO Cup competition for men and women will hold on Wednesday, with the exception of the clash between champions Rivers Angels and Bayelsa Queens in the women’s event.
The mouth–watering encounter, set for the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu has been put on hold as the NFF Disciplinary Committee meets on Wednesday over a protest filed by Sunshine Queens of Akure, questioning the eligibility of two Rivers Angels’ players. The champions had beaten Sunshine Queens 2-0 in the quarter finals.
That game has now been scheduled for Friday, 12th October.
In the men’s event, Kano Pillars, who overpowered CAF Confederation Cup semi finalists Enyimba FC in the quarter finals, will light up the Agege Stadium in Lagos with in –form Katsina United.
At the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, five –time champions Rangers International will lock horns with Nasarawa United, who got the better of El-Kanemi Warriors in the last eight.
Meanwhile, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi confirmed on Tuesday that the grand finale of the women’s competition will hold at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa on Tuesday, 23rd October, while the grand finale of the men’s competition will be played at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, capital of Delta State on Wednesday, 24th October.
Positive and edifying history will be made on Sunday when Niger Tornadoes FC and Akwa United clash at the Agege Stadium for the right to be the first team to hoist the glittering AITEO Cup, freshly delivered for the purpose.
For the umpteenth time, change was effected in the name of the oldest competition in the land in June this year when Nigeria’s leading energy solutions company, AITEO Group, signed a multi–million naira partnership agreement with the Nigeria Football Federation to take over a championship that had been known as Governor’s Cup, Challenge Cup, FA Cup and Federation Cup in its 72 –year history.
AITEO’s money and result–oriented activation strategy has to a large extent restored the well–known glamour of the competition, with a modern streak added to it, and Sunday’s Finale at a venue nicknamed The Soccer Temple will draw the curtain on a two–month long contest that has fully lived up to the name.
A full house is expected at The Soccer Temple to witness a potentially–explosive encounter between two teams gunning to win Nigeria’s oldest competition for the second time.
Tornadoes, who pipped Enugu Rangers 1-0 for their only diadem in 2000, shoved Cup holders FC IfeanyiUbah out of the race at the semi final stage, winning 4-3 on aggregate.
Akwa United, who won in 2015 after edging Lobi Stars 2-1, count eight –time winners Shooting Stars of Ibadan among their victims in this year’s competition.
Apart from pride and desire for one of the most attractive trophies in world football, a princely sum of N25 million awaits the conquerors in Sunday’s battle; the loser to go home with N10 million.
There is also a further motivation of continental football, as the winner will take Nigeria’s second slot in the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup competition.
In the women’s event, Cup holders Rivers Angels are standing by for one of Ibom Angels of Uyo and Abia Angels of Umuahia for their own Finale in Jos on Wednesday, 18th October, and a sum of N10 million is ready for the winner of that match; the loser to go home with half that amount.
The guest list for Sunday’s epoch has Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, Youth and Sports Minister Solomon Dalung, CAF President Ahmad, his three vice presidents Kwesi Nyantakyi, Omari Selemani and Fouzi Lekjaa, CAF Emergency Committee members Musa Bility and Souleiman Waberi, FIFA Council member Hany Abo Rida, NFF President Amaju Pinnick (also member of the CAF Emergency Committee), Members of the NFF Executive Committee and NFF Management, Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr and Members of the Lagos State Executive Council.
AITEO CUP 2017 (WOMEN’S COMPETITION)
ROUND OF 32
Adamawa Queens 0-1 Edo Queens
FC Robo Queens 1-0 Delta Queens
Confluence Queens 3-0 (W/O) Invincible Queens
Beautiful Tours 3-1 Moje Queens
Rivers Angels 5-0 Delta Babes
Bayelsa Queens Feeders 4-0 Fortress Ladies
Pelican Stars 1-0 Young Talents 99
* Ben Women FC, Ibom Angels, Jokodolu Babes, Sure Babes, Sunshine Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, Osun Babes, Abia Angels and Bayelsa Queens were drawn bye into the Round of 16.
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