By Adeboye Amosu:
The impressive Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos will come alive on Sunday as two Glo Premier League sides, Lobi Stars and Akwa United, go toe to toe in the final of the Federation Cup, reports Completesportsnigeria.com.
Up for grabs is a sum of N2m which has been set aside as reward for the winners by the organisers of the oldest competition in the land, the Nigeria Football Football Federation. The runners-up will get half of that sum for their efforts.
For Lobi Stars, they will hope to banish the memories of their last two appearances in the final of the competition.
The Pride of Benue won the competition for first time in 2003 following a 2-0 victory against Sharks Football Club of Port Harcourt, but lost in 2005 and 2011 against Enyimba and Heartland respectively.
Akwa United on the other hand are looking to make history by winning the trophy for the first time in what is their first appearance in the final.
STARS TO WATCH
This is bound to be an exciting final as both teams have top quality players who will add finesse and excitement to the game.
The most prominent name in Lobi Stars line-up is Super Eagles Team B star, Samson Gbadebo. The player has been a standout performer for the Makurdi-based outfit this season and much will be expected of him in the encounter.
Former Sunshine Stars striker, Ukeyima Akombo, one of the most experienced players in the side, will lead the attack.
Other players to watch out for include the skipper of the side, Terna Ikpeen, Moses Bunde and Anthony Agbaji.
Akwa United are also a team with top stars. The Promise Keepers will look to the precocious Aniekpeno Udoh and the competition’s top scorer, Ubong Friday, for goals.
Dead ball specialists, Namso Edo and Yusuf Adio, alongside Olewezi Johnson are players Lobi Stars must be wary of.
BENCH
Lobi Stars gaffer, Justin Tenger, has a deep knowledge of the Akwa United side having handled the side in 2013. This could be play a crucial role in helping his side achieve victory on Sunday.
The veteran tactician no doubt knows most of the Akwa players inside out and will proffer ways of stopping them.
His opposite number, Zachary Baraje, is an experienced tactician too and cannot be found wanting in deploying the right tactics to win the game.
His side’s 1-0 win against the same opponents in the Glo Premier League week 38 clash in Uyo last weekend will no doubt give them a psychological edge.
ROAD TO FINAL
LOBI STARS
ROUND OF 64
LOBI STARS 4 -1 JUNIOR SPOTLIGHT
ROUND OF 32
LOBI STARS 1 – 0 NIGER TORNADOES
ROUND OF 16
LOBI STARS 1 -1 REMO STARs
(Won 4-3) on pen.
QUARTER- FINAL
LOBI STARS 2- 1 BJ FOUNDATION
SEMI-FINAL
LOBI STARS 1-0 RANGERS
AKWA UNITED
ROUND OF 64
AKwa United 6 – 0 Dalhatu United
ROUND OF 32
Akwa United 3 – 1 Peacemakers
ROUND OF 16
Akwa United 1 – 0 Prime
QUARTER- FINAL
Akwa United 2 -2 Tornadoes Feeders
(Won 4-3) on pen.
SEMI- FINAL
Akwa United 1-0 Nasarawa United
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