Ten man Niger Tornadoes Feeder team has caused upset in the finals of 2019 edition of Niger State AITEO (FA) Cup, as the team defeated their senior colleagues, Niger Tornadoes Fc by 3-1 via penalties, after both teams ended goalless at regulation time to emerge winners of the championship, sports247.ng learns
The senior team were favourites to clinch the coveted trophy, but the Feeder Team proved the book makers wrong by holding their senior colleagues to a goalless draw even with a one man down for about 20 minutes before the end of the encounter, at the Late Bako Kontagora Stadium, Minna, Abubakar Hazzan informs
Both teams displayed a beautiful soccer artistry in the high tension soaked encounter, but with no goal to show in either of the half, as the game ended goalless at regulation time, and headed straight to penalty kick where the Feeder team triumphed over their senior colleagues.
Speaking during the finals, the Chairman of Niger State Football Association (NSFA), Comrade Ahmed Yusuf Fresh described the 2019 edition of the Niger State FA Cup as the best in recent times, in terms of organization and participation.
The State FA Chairman who is equally an Executive Board Member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said about 15 teams participated in the current edition of the Championship, thanks to the partnership between the state FA and a sports promotion outfit in the state, First Ibro Dada Sports Synergy Limited.
He disclosed that the sports promotion outfit sponsored the 2019 Niger State FA Cup, which included paying the referees indemnities and also registration fee for some of the teams that participated in the championship, as well as donating the two giant trophies for the first and second place winners and other prizes.
Comrade Yusuf Fresh appreciated the partnership between the state FA and First Ibro Dada Sports Synergy Limited, adding that the State FA looks forward to more engagement with the Sports Promotion Outfit in future.
Similarly, the Executive Secretary of First Ibro Dada Sports Synergy Limited, Barr. Mohammed N. Mohammed said the sports promotion outfit which was founded barely three months ago was initiated for the sole aim of sports promotion, particularly football in the state.
He assured that the partnership between the state FA and the sports promotion outfit shall be sustained and also extended to the grassroot programmes of the state FA, adding that the outfit has a lot in stock for football promotion and development in the state.
Niger State Commissioner for Sports Development, Mr. Emmanuel Duza Babur who represented the State Governor, Alh. Abubakar Sani Bello at the occasion said the state government was proud of the state FA.
He added that the state government was not unaware of Comrade Ahmed Yusuf Fresh’s efforts towards taking the round leather game to the next level, promising that the state government will support the state FA in actualizing its dream of moving the game forward in the state.
While congratulating the two teams who played at the finals for the feat they had achieved he called on those who did not made it to the finals to take it in the spirit of sportsmanship, promising that the state government will give both teams all the necessary support during their campaign at the national level of the AITEO Cup Championship.
All stakeholders of the round leather game in the state were present at the finals, including two former state FA Chairmen, past and present leadership of the state Referees Council, members of the Sporting Press and host of others.
Fifteen teams participated in the 2019 edition of the Niger State FA (AITEO) Cup which was sponsored by First Ibro Dada Sports Synergy Limited, the first indigenous sports promotion outfit in the state.
