By Sunday Agunbiade
Nigeria’s Federation Cup which debuted as far back as 1945 as Governor’s Cup is modelled after the English FA Cup, the Spanish Copa del Rey, the Germany’s DFB-Pokal, Italy’s Coppa Italia, France’s Coupe de France and Belgium’s Belgian Cup.
Most Nigerian football fans still savour memories of the oldest club competition when it was organised by the then Nigeria Football Association (NFA) with a big brand like Coca-Cola as sponsor. Unfortunately, since the change of name from the NFA to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in 2008, the competition has deteriorated.
Sadly, Tingo only survived 10 months business with the Federation while Aiteo lasted 5 years from 2017 to 2022 as winners pocketed #25M for men while Women went home with #10M.
Sadly, the present NFF has not secured any sponsor yet and they are yet to realize that neutrality and proximity of the two teams involved in the choice of venue is sacrosanct for the glamour of the game.
The quintessential fixtures are Round of 16 in the men category wherein Nasarawa and Bayelsa United are scheduled to play in Ayangba, Kogi State. While Bayelsa is from the South South region of Nigeria, Nasarawa is from the North Central. In fact, it will only take Nasarawa less less than 5 hours drive to Kogi state while Bayelsa United will travel for almost 16 hours to the match venues. Why not Ilorin, Lagos or Ogun State? Must it be the same geo political zone of a participating team? Same goes to Wikki Tourists and Warri Wolves. scheduled to hold in Abuja. Warri Wolves will spend hours on the road and spend more than Wikii Tourists of Bauch.
This unfortunate development may further render President Federation Cup which has no sponsor lose its taste. However, it’s only enticed by one of the tickets to continental football but the finances incurred is taking toll on the clubs.
This kind of fixture arrangement must be condemned in its entirely so as to give a level playing ground to all teams involved. This may further cause the steady decline in the organisation of the FA Cup if left unchecked.
Another question begging for answer is that, does the eventual winner go home with anything? Is there any money coming from the Presidency by the virtues of its nomenclature?
Is there any Branding of jerseys for the Seminalists or finalists? What are the benefits aside the continental football which is meant for a single club? Is it just to come and kick the ball around and then go home all in the name of giving a ticket to a team to the continent
Its high time stakeholders reacted to the organizers of this oldest competition so as to bring back the good old days in the Federation Cup. I think these are the major causes of the lack of concern towards it. No benefit attached to participation in the FA Cup.
I think there is a need to reinvent or look at the past and make the present better than the past. We need innovation and prize money to encourage clubs participating.
I’m so sorry for Bayelsa United and Warri Wolves who will travel more distance than their opposing teams this week.
Let the NFF pay attention to the choice of venues as the principal of neutrality and proximity are key to achieving fair participation
