Controversies Mar Akwa Ibom, Anambra States’ FA Cup Semi-finals
By Amaechi Agbo
In what could be regarded as a wave of controversy and hooliganism in Nigeria football, the ongoing FA Cup competition across states in the federation has witnessed myriad of controversies and dramas in some states with Akwa Ibom and Anambra States in the forefront, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.
In Akwa Ibom, 23 year old Emmanuel Imoh was at the centre of the imbroglio after he featured for Algon Boys FC who defeated Akwa United in the semi-final of the FA cup played in the state by 9am Friday.
Algon Boys were reported to have knocked the former champions out of the cup but Akwa United protested that Emmanuel Imoh was an ineligible player and reportedly lodged a complaint by 1pm upon which an appeal committee was hurriedly constituted, sat and by 5pm passed a resolution reinstating Akwa United to the Cup.
Emmanuel was said to be Akwa United player and under their payroll but opted to play for Algon Boys.
As at the time of filing this report, Algon Boys FC are protesting the hasty nature the decision to kick them out of the competition was taken as well as the “unjust” decision against them.
In Anambra State, the last have not been heard of the unending imbroglio involving former Aiteo Cup holders, Ifeanyiubah FC in the state’s FA Cup, this time involving the club’s feeder team.
At Neros Stadium, the match between FCIU Feeders and CKC was stalemated by a similar encrouchment to what happened in IfeanyiUba stadium in a 2nd round match between Udala Fc and Fc IfeanyiUba in which the the penalty shootouts were disrupted by an unknown fan.
Today, IfeanyiUba was leading 1-0 when a fan ran to the referee to challenge his calls.
The resulting commotion ended in a melee which made the Civil Defense Security personnel to release 2 warning shots.
But the centre refused to order restart of the match claiming insecurity.
It is most likely that the FA having decided similar encroachment situation before is would order for continuation of the match early Saturday, in order to ensure that the final is played Sunday, 28th April.
