Sunday, August 8 2021 became a historic day in the annals of Nigeria football as two teams from the same state won the men and women categories of the Nigeria Federation cup sponsored by Energy giants, AITEO.
The oldest cup competition in the world, the FA Cup, re-christened the Federation Cup in Nigeria and sponsored by one of the fastest-growing energy groups in Africa, AITEO, came alive on Sunday in the ancient city of Benin as the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium played host to the four best teams in the competition in the male and female category.
The games, watched by a fairly large but vociferous spectator from both states and throughout the federation, had in attendance, the Governor of the host state, Godwin Obaseki, the Deputy Governor of the host state, Phillip Shaibu and his Bayelsa State counterpart, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo and a host of other dignitaries.
In the first match of the day, Bayelsa Queens defeated FC Robo of Lagos 4-2 with Anjor Mary opening scores for the Prosperity Girls as early as the 10th minute with Peace Efih scoring twice and Joy Bokiri adding the fourth after a twice spirited comeback by the girls from Lagos.
Bayelsa Queens, it will be recalled, eliminated current League and FA Cup champions, Rivers Angels 5-0 to set up the AITEO Cup final against FC Robo that defeated Edo Queens 5-3 on penalties after playing goalless at the end of regulation time in the semi-finals.
In the men’s final, Bayelsa United saw off Nasarawa United 4-3 on penalties after scores at the regulation time stood at 2-2 in a fiercely contested game.
On their way to the finals, Nasarawa United stopped Sunshine Stars 6-5 on penalties after full-time scores stood at 2-2, while second-tier side, Bayelsa United, now known as the Giant-Killers, ran away with a 1-0 win over top-flight NPFL side, Rivers United in the semi-final.
Ahead of the game, the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri had charged the two teams to go for gold, promising that he will not fail to reward them if they brought the cup home.
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