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On February 26, 2021 at the Agege Stadium, Lagos, Igbobi College, Lagos and Government College, Kaduna squared up in the ceremonial match to signpost the commencement of the resurrection of the forgotten Principal’s Cup.

The singular ceremony opened the flood gate for 148 schools to justle for the coveted trophy.

From across the 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital, schools and colleges squared up against one another.

For ease of convenience, the preliminary took off from at state levels with 4 schools penciled down to participate from semi-final knockout bases.

In Abuja, four formidable schools were selected. They are: Fosla Academy , Karshi; Government Technical Sicence College, GTSC, Garki, Government Secondary School, Tungamaji and Government Day Secondary School, GDSS Karu.

On March 10th, 2021, Fosla Academy made intent their mission in the Principal’s Cup as they whitewashed GTSC 11-1 in a match that saw Simeon Zekeri scoring a glut while Joel Tukura scored a brace to take the Academy to final.

On March 13, 2021, Fosla Academy squared up against GDSS Karu in the FCT final. Expectedly, they emerged victorious after defeating them by 2 goals to nil to book a ticket for the North-Central zonal final.

The North-Central Zonal playoff of the National Principal’s Cup held in Jos, the Plateau State capital from 18 to 22 March, 2021.

Seven states which make up the zone – Benue, Niger, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara, Plateau and FCT converged to decide among them who would fly the flag of the zone at the national final.

Unfortunately the first three states named above did not show up neither was any reason given for their absence.

So the playoff was for the four states – Kwara, Plateau, Kogi and FCT.

The FCT contingent led by Hashimu Adamu, head of sports in FCT Education Board arrived the cold city of Jos on Friday, March 18.

After the draws and other fixtures were made for football and athletes, Fosla Academy took on Kwara State in the second match of the day.

It was a tough and tactical match as the Kwara boys held the Fosla boys to ransom.

However the only goal of the day that broke the deadlock came later in the second half and Fosla Academy picked the maximum 3 points to go second on the table.

Meanwhile, in the first match, Kogi State represented by Our Lady School defeated Plateau represented by Government Secondary School, Gwaganre 4-1.

On Sunday, each team played two matches as Fosla again whitewashed GSS Plateau 9-0 to top the group. In the other match, Kogi defeated Kwara 2-1 to set up a mouthwatering clash with Fosla as both two teams were tied on the log with 6 points each.

During the final, Kogi gave the Fosla boys a huge scare after they took the lead in the 8th minute after Victor Jonathan scored from corner kick to give the Our Lady School boys the lead.

However, that was cut short almost immediately as Simeon Zekeri showed class again and equalised in the 21st minute.

Suleman Mohammed score on the 33rd minute to give the FCT boys the lead. The scoreline remained so till duration of the match.

Fosla Academy defeated Our Lady School 2-1 to book their passage to the National final holding “At Home” in Abuja.

The National final was held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja from 27 to 31 March, 2021.

On March 28, 2021, Fosla Academy, representing North-Central at the final worked over Abdulkadir Benisheikh of Borno State after the North-East representatives refused to turn up for the match. Three Goals and three points were award to Fosla Academy.

On 29th March, once again, Fosla Academy played two matches. The first was the concluding group stage match against Christ Comprehensive School, Kakuira, Kaduna State, Norrh-West. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Later in the evening, Fosla battled Owerri City College, South-East and won the match by alone goal to set up a rematch with Christ Comprehensive School in the final. The latter defeated Orile Comprehensive High School, Ogun State, South-West 3-1 to reach the final.

The final was held on 30th March. And as always, and in his tradition, the proprietor of Fosla Academy, Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi was there with the team.

He was right there with them in FCT and spent the three days with them in Jos during the zonal elimination.

On Tuesday, he was among the top dignitaries who graced the final having occupied the position as first football man in the country when he led the leadership of Nigeria Football Federation NFF as President from 2006 to 2010.

During the final, Tukura Joel was the hero of the day as his two quick goals in a space of 45 seconds gave Fosla Academy the deserved victory to emerge Champions of the maiden National Principal’s Cup.

Tukura beat the offside flag in the 23rd minute to score the first goal. While the Kaduna boys were battling to recover from the shock, their woes were compound seconds later as Tukura scored his second in the 24th minute to give hand Fosla Academy the trophy.

This is the first time the Principal’s Cup, abandoned and forgotten for over 25 years, was played as a national competition. Consequently Fosla became the pioneer winners of the competition.

With 32 Goals scored and only 3 conceded, it stating the obvious to say that Fosla Academy was not only formidable but also ruthlessly merciless in attacking their opponents.

Written By Amaechi Agbo
Media Officer
Fosla Academy
31 – 03 – 21.