11 August 2015

Nigeria: Federation Cup To Produce New Champion

For the first time since Nigeria’s Cup competition was re-christened Federation Cup in 2009, a new champion will be crowned when the 2015 final is decided.

The new contenders include Premier League sides Enugu Rangers, El-Kanemi Warriors, Lobi Stars, Nasarawa United, FC Ifeanyiubah and Akwa United.

The duo of Niger Tornadoes Feeders and non-league side BJ Foundation complete the list.


Monopoly

Only the trio of Enyimba, Kaduna United and Heartland have won the Cup in its era as the Federation Cup.

In 2009, former Super Eagles coach, Austin Eguavoen led Enyimba to record a 1-0 victory over Sharks at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

Enyimba reached the final again in 2010, but lost to a determined Kaduna United side under the guidance of Maurice Cooreman.

The defeat made Enyimba the first side to lose the Federation Cup via penalties after an exciting 3-3 draw.

In 2011, Enyimba reached their third consecutive Federation Cup final only to lose again.

This time the People's Elephant were frustrated by oriental rivals, Heartland and Dutch manager Lodewijk De Kruif led the team to win the Cup for the first time since their success as Iwuanyanwu Nationale in 1988.

A goal from captain Chinedu Efugh was all Heartland needed to claim victory in 2011.

And in 2012, Heartland entered the history books as the first club to win back-to-back Federation Cup titles after beating Lobi Stars 2-1.

Interestingly, Heartand survived an early scare from Ezekiel Bassey to eventually win 2-1.

Enyimba came back stronger in 2013 to claim their second Federation Cup title after overcoming hard fighting Warri Wolves on penalties.

It was Enyimba again in 2014 as the club made history with their third title in the Federation Cup era.

Unlike 2013, it was an easy ride as the club claimed a 2-0 victory over Dolphins.

The 2015 Contenders

Supersport.com profiles the contenders aiming for their first title in the Federation Cup era

Enugu Rangers

Enugu Rangers are five-time champions, but all were achieved in the Challenge Cup era.

Rangers were champions in 1975, 1976, 1977, 1981 and 1983.

Although the team played in three finals during the Coca-Cola FA Cup era in 2000, 2004 and 2007, victory remained out of their reach.

El-Kanemi Warriors

El-Kanemi Warriors claimed back-to-back titles in 1991 and 1992 during the Challenge Cup era.

In 2001, El-Kanemi made their appearance in the final and first in the Coca-Cola FA Cup era but lost to Dolphins, then as a second division side.

Lobi Stars (Coca-Cola FA Cup)

Lobi are the only team left in the race that claimed Cup success in the Coca-Cola FA Cup years.

Sharks were their victims after an exciting final at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, in 2003.

However, Lobi lost twice in the finals in 2005 (Coca-Cola FA Cup) and 2012 (Federation Cup).

Lobi Stars came close to their first Federation Cup final in 2013, but lost in the semifinals to eventual champions, Enyimba.

And in 2014, Dolphins stopped the Makurdi side in a one-sided quarterfinal.

Akwa United

Akwa United’s best outing was in 2013 when they lost to Warri Wolves in the semifinals played in Gombe.

The match continued the following day due to a heavy downpour with scores tied at one-all.

Wolves scored a late goal through Gift Atulewa to deny the experienced Justin Tenger and his side a place in the final.

Nasarawa United

Nasarawa United are yet to feature in any Cup final. In fact, this is the first time that the Lafia side will reach the last eight of the knockout competition.

FC Ifeanyiubah

Like Nasarawa United and Akwa United, they are yet to play in any Cup final. The club did not make any significant Cup impact as Gabros and this is the first quarterfinal since becoming FC Ifeanyiubah this year.

Niger Tornadoes Feeders

One of the surprise teams left in the race, Niger Tornadoes Feeders, are reaching the last eight for the first time.

Defeated Glo Premier League sides, Wikki Tourists which won in the Challenge Cup era and Dolphins, which made an impact in the Coca-Cola FA Cup years to reach this stage.

BJ Foundation

As a non-league side, BJ Foundation are clearly the unlikely team left in the race.

With no previous record in the competition, BJ are in the Federation Cup era to make an impact.

The grassroots side were responsible for the exit of Heartland which won two Federation Cup titles and the defunct Challenge Cup as Iwuanyanwu Nationale.

Champions in Federation Cup era

2009: Enyimba

2010: Kaduna United

2011: Heartland

2012: Heartland

2013: Enyimba

2014: Enyimba

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