———-.as Bayelsa, Nasarawa, FC Robo battle for trophy in Benin
By Ikhili Ebalu Benin City
The City of Benin is agog, as late Dr. Samuel Osagbovo Ogbemudia Stadium Benin City on Sunday the 8th of August 2021, as Edo State government headed by Godwin Enoghaghese Obaseki host the 2020/2021 Aiteo Cup epic finals in Benin-City were Bayelsa United FC, Nasarawa United FC will slug out in the male final game, while Bayelsa Queens FC and FC Robo of Lagos will also battle each other in the finals of the women category.
Speaking on behalf of Edo State Deputy Governor the General Coordinator of Edo Queens FC and Bendel Insurance FC Mrs. Sabina Chikere, said Edo State government is 100% per- cent ready to host the 2020/2021 Aiteo Cup final match coming up this Sunday at the Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Benin-City Edo State.
“I want to categorically say that all logistics needed to make this hosting a huge success have been put in place by the State government. We are 100% per- cent ready to host the finals. We have done everything as far as hosting this event is concern, Edo State is very happy to be given this opportunity to host one of the oldest football events in Nigeria.
If you follow our activities very well, you will see that the leadership of His Excellency Godwin Enogheghase Obaseki and Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, is totally committed to using Sports as a tool to reduce unemployment in the state, this is why government has invested huge sums of money into building an Olympic side Stadium with standard facilities for our athletes to train so that they can compete favourably with their counterparts across the globe”.
“The government is fully determined to return Edo State to it’s premier position in the annals of Nigeria sports. In the past, Edo State were always first, we set the pace while others follow. But thank God that we have a government that is fully devoted and ready to rewrite the history of our sports men and Women by ensuring they key into this programme and make use of the opportunity to better their career in sports.”
“You will also agree with me that Sports world over is a too that many developed countries have used to reduced unemployment, curbing of crime and criminalities in the society. You can attest to this during the hosting of the 20th edition of National Sports Festival NSF, in Edo State. Edo State government is determined to use sports as a gateway to engaging our youths by so doing, we are helping to reduced to a certain percentage people on the labour market.”
“For us in Edo Queens FC we are not disappointed that our team did get to the finals, Edo Queens did marvelously well they got to the Semifinal and loss to FC Robo through penalty kicks. We have put that behind us and preparing for the forthcoming NWFL new league season.”
To reach the finals of this prestigious Aiteo Cup competition, Bayelsa Queens FC whitewashed the Champions of the NWFL Rivers Angel’s FC 5-0 in a Semifinal clash to pick the ticket, While FC Robo of Lagos edged out gallant Edo Queens on a controversial penalty kick having played goaless at full time in the second Semifinal game played at the FIFA Goal project field Abuja.
While in the male category, Bayelsa United FC pip Rivers United 1-0 at the Agege Township Stadium Lagos to set up a final clash against Nasarawa United who also defeated Sunshine Stars FC 6-5 on a penalty after 1-1 at the regulation time.
