By Ikenna Nwokedi
The 2024 President Federation Cup, (FA Cup) organized by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) enters the Round of 64 on Wednesday, May 1st, 2024.
In one of the fixtures scheduled to take place at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, the home ground of Enugu Rangers known as The Cathedral, former NPFL and FA Cup champions, Lobi Stars of Markurdi will square up against Delta Marines FC, a Nationwide League One (NLO1) side established in January 2023.
The Pride of Benue will be the clear favourites in the match against the Blue Submarines as Delta Marines FC are popularly called.
This is the first time that Delta Marines FC is qualifying for the FA Cup Round of 64 since its establishment in early 2023.
Delta Marines defeated Excellent FA 4 – 2 on penalties in the Quarter Finals of the State Rounds of the 2024 Federations Cup after coming back from behind four times against Excellent FA in an 8-goal thriller in Kwale with goals from 17 year old striker, Austine Ebikemiebornimughan, captain, Onome Famous, 17 year old right wingback, Samuel Blessing and a last minute goal by free kick specialist, Victor Ohwerhi.
The Blue Submarines recorded a 5 – 1 semi finals victory over it’s feeder team, Delta Marines Football Academy who had earlier eliminated the 2023 Delta State League Champions, Great Avengers FC 7 – 6 on penalties after a 0 – 0 draw in the Round of 16 and 2023 Delta State FA Cup Runners-Up, Osevan FC 6 – 5 on penalties after a 1 – 1 draw in the quarter finals.
Delta Marines FC lost 2 – 0 in the 2024 Delta State FA Cup Final to Warri Wolves, on March 31st, 2024.
Delta Marines Football Club and Delta Marines Football Academy are owned privately by a group of young men and women with Mr. Elo Adhekpukoli, a lawyer, and former member of the governing executive committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Branch, as the current Chairman of the football club.
