Lobi Stars had to contend with poor form in the league while striving to keep up with the tradition of always going far in the Federation Cup.
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Akwa United of Anambra state on Sunday, stopped Lobi Stars of Makurdi from winning this year’s Federation Cup in their first ever final winning 2-1 to break a 56-year jinx in their chase for the trophy as Cross River and Akwa Ibom States. The club will now represent Nigeria in the 2016 edition of the CAF Confederations Cup.
The effort continued in the second half but instead of reprieve, it was Abdulafeez Awakan who doubled the advantage for Akwa United in the 70th minute.
A consolation goal from Lobi’s Barnabas Imenger in the 90th minute was not enough to deny the Akwa team the win. “That’s the only reason I will stay on for the Confederation Cup”, he stated. That’s not all, even the former governor also gave the players money before the final and promised to do more for the team.
To get to the final stage Sunshine defeated Nasarawa Amazons, 3-1 on penalty, while Bayelsa Queens on their part defeated Confluence Queens 1-0 to reach the final.
The match, also played at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, saw both teams played 1-1 at the end of regulation time.
This is Akwa United’s first taste of national title, but it did not come easy to the Uyo lads.
Governor Udom Emmanuel dropped the hint during an interaction with team managers and players of the state – owned Akwa United Football Club at the Government House, Uyo.
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Commenting on the successful completion of the 2014/2015 Nigerian Professional Football league season, the governor also lauded the League Management Company (LMC) for re-engineering the administration of the league, which he said has opened bigger possibilities for the empowerment of Nigerian youths.
