Coca-Cola FA Promises More Stars
Before the commencement of an organized league in 1979, the FA Cup was undoubtedly the most prestigious competition in Nigeria. It had more publicity than the old "Super League" and the final was always well attended.
However, the importance of the competition gradually started fading with fans being able to watch the top teams week after week. The status of the knock-out event further diminished with the ever-increasing drift of the top stars from the domestic scene to Europe.
The average Nigerian fan would rather watch a top match in Europe if it is being played simultaneously with the FA Cup final. These days the finals are sparsely attended, and it is hard to fault those who say the competition has lost its glamour.
It is however hoped the innovations that have been introduced by sponsors Coca-Cola recently, like the spectacular arrival of the trophy via helicopter, and cash awards for virtually all categories of participants, could breathe back the much-needed excitement to Nigeria's oldest soccer competition.
The 60th anniversary of the FA Cup will be celebrated next year, and like it is elsewhere in the world, it has provided its thrills and unpredictable moments over this period. At the start in 1945 when it was known as the Governor's Cup, Lagos - based clubs dominated, winning eight of the first ten editions.
When it was renamed the FA Cup in 1955, teams from Port Harcourt and Ibadan began to challenge the Lagosians, and by independence in 1960, the competition was dominated solely by teams from these cities. It became more open after the civil war, with the emergence of Enugu Rangers, who won consecutively between 1974 and 1976. They added two more triumphs in 1981 and 1983, but are still third on the all-time winners list behind Lagos Railways (seven) and Shooting Stars, who have won seven times (including victories of Ibadan Lions and WNDC).
New generation clubs, such as Leventis United and Abiola Babes, dominated the early to mid-eighties, but their surprise disbandment coincided with emergence of coach Shaibu Amodu.
Amodu developed into an FA Cup expert, winning four out of six attempts in spells with BCC Lions and El Kanemi Warriors between 1989 and 1994. BCC`s win in 1989 also ended an enduring 35 year wait for the trophy to go back to the north since Kano won in 1953. The northern teams have since rediscovered their form to win nine of the next fourteen - Plateau United (1999), Tornadoes (2000) and Lobi Stars(2002) all beating strong opposition from the east.
Already, there have been shocks results in the first round this season, Kwara United did not necessarily outclass, but certainly out fought Enyimba in Lagos.
Lobi Stars also upset league leaders Iwuanyanwu 2-0 in Calabar, while Rangers struggled to get past Wikki Tourist on penalties. The excitement and unpredictability has thus started and could only get better.
STARS OF THE CUP
CHRISTAIN CHUKWU - Christian Chukwu was not nicknamed the chairman for nothing. Beside his commanding role in the heart of defence for both club and country, he led Enugu Rangers to four FA challenge Cup triumphs.
He took the Enugu club to three consecutive titles between 1974 and 1976, and then exacted revenge in the 1981 final over Bendel Insurance, for the unexpected defeat inflicted on them in 1978.
Chukwu's commanding performance in the 1981 edition earned him a recall to the Green Eagles, where he unfortunately did not live up to expectations in the 1982 World Cup qualifier against Algeria, but he will always be remembered as a legend in this competition.
HENRY OGBOE - In an era where it seemed no other team could stop the dominance of Enugu Rangers and IICC Shooting Stars, Henry Ogboe spear-headed the humiliation of the more respected Rangers in1978 when Bendel Insurance trounced them 3-0.
Ogboe got two of the goals, and was constantly a menace to Rangers highly rated defence. Even the myth that surrounded Rangers keeper Emmanuel Okala was broken after the show put up by Ogboe and co.
SEGUN ODEGBAMI - 'Mr mathematical' Segun Odegbami was the pick of the pack in the star-studded Shooting Stars team that ended Sharks fairly tale run in 1979. Sharks had already been relegated to the second division but were the spoilers in the competition as they edged strong favourites Enugu Rangers and Mandilas of Lagos on their way to the final.
But when they got there, their otherwise strong and reliable defence led by Gordon Idango could not match the pace and power of Odegbami either when he drifted to the right or in a more central striking role. Odegbami scored one of the two goals in an emphatic 2-0 win.
SAM OKPODU - The complete story of the 1980 final cannot be told without mentioning the exploits of Bendel Insurance right winger Sam Okpodu. A constant threat to the Stationary Stores rear with his nippy dribbles and a pace to match, his combination with Ibrahim Alkali Dafe provided most of the entertainment on the day.
Only the brilliance of Stores keeper Peter Rufai kept Okpodu and co at bay.
And perhaps, like die-hard Insurance fans still say, had injury not forced Okpodu out midway through the second-half, Stores may have had a sterner challenge on their hands.
JAMES ETOKEBE - Calabar Rovers may have crashed out in the semifinals in 1983, but their left-winger James Etokebe left an indelible mark on the competition with his mazy runs down the flank.
Etokebe`s performance in the 3rd place match against Abiola Babes made those who usually under-rate the fixture have a rethink. He was also in the thick of Rovers second goal which ended up with Abiola keeper Best Ogedebe hitting the deck (in mere anticipation of a shot!) thrice before the ball hit the back of the net.
LIOUS IGWILO - Louis Igwilo truly justified his nickname of commander, when he ran the show in Enugu Ranger's barren draw with DIC Bees in 1983. Igwilo marked and created opportunities for his teammates all through and scored in the ensuing penalty shoot-out won by Rangers.
AHAM NWANKWO - Nobody gave BCC Lions a chance in 1989. Firstly, it was 35 years since a team from the north had won the Cup, and secondly, Iwanyanwu Nationale simply had the better-known players.
But BCC proved more than a handful. With Sam Adingi pulling admirable saves in goal and Felix Pilakyaa defending doggedly, the Cement Boys matched Nationale to the surprise of the capacity crowd in Bauchi. It took the courage of the slightly built midfielder Aham Nwankwo to tower above Nationales defence (which included giant defender Uche Okechukwu) to head in the only goal of the match late in the game.
EDITH AGOYE - Between 1995 and 1996, Shooting Stars had one of the best squads in the local scene in recent times.
Foreign scouts regularly disrupted the team by selling off its key players but the team ended up winning the domestic double in 1995 and reached the CAF champions Cup finals in 1996.
Within that period Edith Ayoye provided the spark for the team with his explosive runs at goal, the highlight of which were two brilliant individual efforts in the 2-0 defeat of Kastina United in the 1995 Cup final.
ABUBAKAR MUSA - If Abubakar Musa was criticised in the 1999 World Youth Championship for not imposing himself more in Nigeria's matches, he redeemed his image in the 2001 FA Cup final with a spell-binding performance that turned favourite's Elkanemi Warriors to mere spectators on the pitch.
He ran rings round the Warriors in midfield, before finishing up Dolphins 2-0 win with a spectacular effort from a tight angle.
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