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Upsets in Benue, Abia, as fans batter referee in Edo

5/6/2013

The Federation Cup at the weekend lived up to its unpredictability tag when top Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) sides, Lobi Stars of Makurdi and Enyimba of Aba succumbed to Apa United and Abia Warriors respectively in the states’ finals held across the country.

The competition also witnessed an ugly scene in Benin where fans suspected to be supporters of Bendel Insurance battered the centre referee a few minutes to the end of their encounter against Dynamites FC.

At the Ogbe Stadium, venue of the Edo State final, Dynamites were on the verge of retaining their crown when the fans entered the pitch to attack centre referee, Sam Agbagbatu, in the 89th minute.

The fans, who felt Agbagbatu was aiding Dynamites to victory, rushed onto the pitch to descend on the referee. The hapless referee was later rescued by Police and some Edo FA officials, who took him to hospital in an ambulance.

As at press time there was no official comment on the incident, but an Edo FA official, who pleaded anonymity, said the supporters would not go unpunished for bringing the game to disrepute.

Elsewhere, Lobi Stars lost the trophy in Benue State to Apa United 6-5 on penalties when the regulation time could not separate both teams who tied at 1-1.

Also unable to defend its title are Niger Tornadoes, who lost to their Feeder Team by a lone goal, but Kwara United won in Ilorin with a 1-0 defeat of a depleted ABS. The Afonja Warriors scored its goal in the 89th minute.

At the Umuahia, Chisom Chikasara’s first half goal was enough to see off 2005 champions, Enyimba, who toiled in vain all through the same half for the equalizer.

Spotlight FC defeated Dan Buram 2-1 to take the Katsina FA trophy, just as Court of Appeal beat NAF Rockets 3-2 via penalty shoot out after the regulation time had ended 1-1.

Gateway United defeated Remo Stars 3-1 in the Ogun State final, while 3SC beat Crown of Ogbomosho to come tops in Oyo State.

The Ondo State final was also full of drama with Sunshine Stars beating Tiwa Warriors 4-2 at the end of the day.

Tiwa Warriors opened scores a few seconds into the game, but Ajani Ibrahim equalised for the 2012 CAF Champions League semifinalists.

Tiwa Warrriors took the lead again before Sunshine Stars was awarded a penalty, which Skipper Godfrey Oboabona tucked in for the second equaliser.

Sunshine went ahead for the first time in the game through another penalty kick, before adding the icing on the cake late into the game.

In Lagos, the City of David FC (COD), owned by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, defeated MFM FC 2-1 via a penalty shoot out to win the trophy. The regulation time had ended goalless, although officials of MFM believed they would have won the game if a goal their team scored in the course of the match was allowed to stay.

All the states’ finalists have qualified for the national championship, which draws would be released soon by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

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