For the first time in the history of Nigeria’s cup competitions, one
state claimed both the women and men titles as second-tier Bayelsa
United and Bayelsa Queens were crowned winners of the 2021 AITEO Cup
competition in Benin City on Sunday.
Epic battles were fought by both teams in each of the finals under
driving rain in the Edo State capital, and an avalanche of 10 goals
made the evening well worth it for football action-starved fans at the
Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
It was a delightful experience for dignitaries and spectators as the
AITEO Cup returned with fanfare and pomp after the global coronavirus
pandemic forced cancellation of the competition last year.
Bayelsa Queens’ livewire Mary Anjor set the ball rolling for a
fruitful day for the ‘Glory of all Lands’ when she poked in her eighth
goal of the competition in the 15th minute of the women’s final to put
her team ahead. FC Robo’s captain Gift Monday replied sharply four
minutes later, but Juliet Sunday (37th minute) and Peace Efih (43rd
minute) made sure the girls from Yenagoa held a comfortable lead going
into the break.
On resumption, both teams continued to delight the crowd that included
Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Deputy Governors of Edo, Bayelsa, and
Nasarawa States.
There were also President of NFF and FIFA Council Member, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick and AITEO’s Head of Corporate
Communications Ndiana Matthew.
Habibat Akinwande pulled one back for the girls from Lagos in the 65th
minute, but substitute Joy Bokiri made the game safe with a
spectacular fourth goal from a free kick 22 yards out.
In the men’s final, NPFL side Nasarawa United had no reason to
under-rate Bayelsa United, aware that the boys coached by former
international Dipreye Teibowei had claimed the scalps of NPFL
juggernauts Rangers International, Lobi Stars and Rivers United on
their way to the final.
Yet, they were slack to things as Inikurogha Okardi smashed in from
the right in the 19th minute. The loud ovation that greeted the goal
was still on when Chinedu Ohanachom sent a pile driver past goalkeeper
John Shaibu for the leveler.
Aliyu Abdullahi shot the Solid Miners in front in the 26th minute, but
10 minutes later, Emo James rose highest in the box to nod home a
sweet equalizer for the Bayelsa boys.
The second period was a tight and tense affair that however produced
no goal. In the ensuing penalty shootout, the boys from Bayelsa
prevailed 4-3 to claim their first-ever national silverware.
Bayelsa United pocketed the sum of N25million for their triumph, with
Nasarawa United earning N10million.
Bayelsa Queens were N10million to
the good, and FC Robo Queens returned to Lagos with N5million.
Bayelsa Queens’ Mary Anjor emerged the top scorer of the women’s
competition, and also claimed the Most Valuable Player award. In the
men’s competition, the top scorer award went to Gafaar Olafimihan of
3SC while Nasarawa United goalkeeper Mohammed Galadima claimed the
Most Valuable Player award.
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