Upsets, drama, and emphatic displays highlight State Finals

Following the directive from the Nigeria Soccer Federation (NFF) to conclude all state finals of the President Federation Cup final weekend, the Nigeria Premier Soccer League was briefly paused to accommodate matches throughout the nation.

As is customary with cup competitions, this 12 months’s state finals witnessed a justifiable share of shocks, upsets, and dominant performances by high groups.

From Aba to Ilorin and so far as Maiduguri, passionate home soccer followers have been handled to thrilling shows and targets galore.

Main upsets and key highlights

Arguably, the largest upset of the finals got here in Aba, the place four-time champions Enyimba FC suffered a surprising defeat to Ahudiyannem FC after a penalty shootout in Umuahia.

This loss is seen by many critics as a brand new low for the “Folks’s Elephant,” who’ve been struggling for the reason that departure of their former chairman, Felix Ayansi.

In the meantime, cup holders El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri ensured they’re within the race to retain their crown as they trounced CP Strikers 3-0 within the Borno State closing.

Regardless of their struggles within the NPFL the place they’re presently rooted to the underside of the desk, former winners Lobi Stars, retained their crown in Benue as they recorded a 2-1 victory over Flight FC within the State Ultimate.

Rangers Worldwide put up a ruthless show because the hammered Ijele FC 3-0 within the Enugu State closing

Their have been additionally victories for NPFL groups, Bendel Insurance coverage, , Taking pictures Stars, Heartland FC, Akwa United, and Kano Pillars as all of them triumphed of their respective state finals.

An upset was recorded in Lagos as Inter Lagos emerged 5-4 winners over defending champions Ikorodu Metropolis after a tense penalty shootout.

There was additionally an upset in Yenegoa the place Bayelsa United fell to Crusaders FC in a dramatic 4-2 penalty determination.

Yobe Desert Stars delivered a crushing 10-1 win over Gujuba Academy, whereas Kebbi United dominated Discovery Expertise Academy with a powerful 5-1 victory.

In a tightly contested match, Coach Finidi George led Rivers United edged Wilbros FC 4-3 on penalties.

Nationwide Play-Offs

With the profitable completion of state preliminaries throughout the 36 states and the FCT, the NFF has confirmed that the Nationwide Play-Off video games for this 12 months’s President Federation Cup, each within the males’s and ladies’s classes, will likely be held on Wednesday, 5 March.

Following the play-offs, a complete of 64 groups will qualify for the Nationwide Competitors draw, scheduled for Wednesday, 12 March, in Abuja.

The extremely anticipated Spherical of 64 fixtures will then start on 19 March, setting the stage for extra thrilling encounters.

The approaching weeks promise extra pleasure as golf equipment throughout Nigeria battle for glory on the nationwide stage.

READ ALSO: NPFL Preview: Enyimba, 3SC rekindle rivalry in Aba as Lobi, Nasarawa United intensify battle for survival

Full Record of State Winners (Males’s Competitors)

Imo: Heartland FC 2-0 OISA FC

Niger: Atlantic FA 0-0 Concord FA (Atlantic FA win 6-5 on penalties)

Abia: Enyimba 0-0 Ahudiyannem FC (Ahudiyannem win 3-1 on penalties)

Kwara: Kwara United 1-1 ABS (Kwara United win 5-4 on penalties)

Benue: Lobi Stars 2-1 Flight FC

Adamawa: No competitors

Edo: Bendel Insurance coverage 3-0 Assemblies of God

Bauchi: Wikki Vacationers 1-0 Warinje FC

Lagos: Ikorodu Metropolis 0-0 Inter Lagos (Inter Lagos win 5-4 on penalties)

Jigawa: Lautai United 0-2 Dandidi Babes

Rivers: Rivers United 0-0 Wilbros FC (Rivers United win 4-3 on penalties)

Ogun: Imperial FC 2-2 Past Limits (Imperial FC win 8-7 on penalties)

FCT: EFCC 0-0 FWC FC (FWC FC win 4-3 on penalties)

Osun: Osun United 0-1 Igbajo FC

Nasarawa: FC Basira 0-2 Nasarawa United

Enugu: Rangers Int’l 3-0 Ijele FC

Anambra: Answer FC 0-0 Edel FC (Edel win 2-0 on penalties)

Ondo: Sunshine Stars 0-0 Sunshine Stars U19 (Sunshine Stars win 4-3 on penalties)

Ekiti: COPDEM 0-1 NOSMAS FC

Borno: El-Kanemi Warriors 3-0 CP Strikers

Akwa Ibom: Akwa United 1-0 Eagle Eye FA

Oyo: Crown FC 0-0 Taking pictures Stars (Taking pictures Stars win 4-2 on penalties)

Kogi: Kogi Central FC 1 Vs FC Bako 2

Katsina: Katsina United 1-0 Jnr Danburam

Ebonyi: Cynosure FC 0-1 Abakaliki FC

Kebbi: Discovery Expertise Academy 1-5 Kebbi United

Bayelsa: Bayelsa United 2-2 Crusaders FC (Crusaders win 4-2 on penalties)

Kaduna: Simon Beb FA 1-1 Inexperienced Berets (Inexperienced Berets win 4-2 after penalties)

Gombe: Gombe United 3-1 El-Shama FC

Plateau: Mighty Jets Feeders 0-2 Plateau Utd

Cross River: Rovers FC 1-0 E-World

Delta: Warri Wolves 2-1 De Sapele Lions

Sokoto: Sokoto United 1-2 Sokoto North FC

Taraba: Technobat FC 0-1 Eagle Stars FC

Kano: Kano Pillars 3-2 Barau FC

Yobe: Yobe Desert Stars 10-1 Gujuba Academy

Zamfara: Zamfara United 1-0 Zamfara United Feeders

WOMEN’S COMPETITION)

Abia: Ahudiyannem Queens

Adamawa: Adamawa Queens

Akwa Ibom: Ibom Angels 3-0 Jacklyn Angels

Anambra: GP World FA

Bayelsa: Bayelsa Queens 8-0 Crystal Stars

Delta: Delta Queens 2-0 Delta Babes

Ebonyi: First Mahi Babes

Edo: Edo Queens 3-0 Fortress Women

Enugu: Queen of Softlanding FC

FCT: Naija Ratels 6-0 N-Youth Women FA

Imo: Heartland Queens

Kaduna: Gallant Queens 6-0 Kada Queens

Kogi: Confluence Queens

Kwara: Moje Queens 2-2 Kwara Women (Moje Queens win 4-3 on penalties)

Lagos: Unification Women 0-1 Dannaz Women

Nasarawa: Nasarawa Amazons

Ogun: Remo Stars Women 4-0 Castmong Women FC

Ondo: Sunshine Queens 3-3 Onimarg FC (Sunshine Queens win 4-2 on penalties)

Osun: Osun Babes FC

Plateau: Plateau United Queens 2-1 Mighty Jets Mata

Rivers: Rivers Angels 10-0 Glowing Angels