Lagos FA Cup kicks off Saturday with 95 teams

By Akeem Lawal

A total of 95 teams (87 male and 8 female) will take part in the Winners Golden Bet-sponsored 2018/2019 Lagos FA Cup, scheduled to kick off on Saturday, 30th March at the Agege Stadium, Lagos.

In the official draws for the competition held at the SWAN Hall, National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos on Thursday, a total of 44 rookie teams will slug it out in the preliminary stage, while 43 teams from various national leagues were drawn bye in the male category, 

In a chat with Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com during the draws, Vice Chairman, Lagos State Football Association, Tade Azeez said the competition will give players the opportunity to exhibit their potentials.

“The sponsors are aiming to make this year’s edition more glamorous and we are willing to conclude the last edition which we couldn’t do. The award night for last edition couldn’t be done because of the series of problems Nigeria football had last year. So we are going to conclude it. The award night 2019 will be a double header where we have to do the 2018 and 2019. 

 “There are many quality football clubs in Lagos and this is the only competition that showcases the talents that abound in the state because it is an all comers affair. Whether a team is in premiership or rookie, they have the opportunity of playing each other because this is where the talents are gotten.

“It is an opportunity for the kids too to showcase what they have, so they can attract some big clubs and go ahead to play for foreign clubs. So it’s not only about winning laurel but having a selling point for these kids to showcase what they have,” Azeez told Sportsbiz247.bligspot.com.

Group Head, WGB, Mrs Adepeju Akinbiyi said this year’s edition of competition will be better than the last year, adding that both male and female teams from the semi final stage, referees, ball boys will be kitted by the company. 

 “Grassroot football is the platform where you get the best stars and our company is promoting grassroot football, the state will benefit as well as the country. We want international stars to come up from the grass root. Our relationship with Lagos FA over five years has been good and it gets better each year,” she said. 

Addressing the representatives of the participating clubs before the draws, the Chairman, Technical Committee of the Lagos State Football Association, Dotun Coker said officiating will be done according to the rules of the game and only qualified and duly registered coaches with the Lagos State FA will be allowed to sit on the bench during matches.

He said the the clubs will register once and will not be allowed to register additional player during the course of the competition, while clubs are expected to have their medical team during matches. 

MFM Football Club defeated Smart City FC 3-0 to retain their Lagos FA Cup in 2018, while FC Robo emerged the winner of the women’s version after defeating Young Talent 99 2-1 in the final played at the Agege Stadium.