Lagos Battle FCT In 2013 NFF Under 13 Football Championship Final

The stage is now set for a thrilling climax to the 2013 NFF U-13 Football Championship as tournament’s defending champions, FCT, clash with bookies favourites, Lagos, at the FIFA Goal Project Center of the Abuja National Stadium, by 4pm on Tuesday.

In the semi-final matches played on Monday evening, team Lagos beat team Katsina 2-0 in the first semi final match of the day, while team FCT also defeated team Niger 2-0 in the second game, to set the stage for a tough final.

Although Team FCT narrowly lost 2-3 to team Lagos in the preliminary rounds, FCT coach Usman Haruna Ilerica, says fans should expect a different game on Tuesday.

“Team Lagos is a highly technical team and we respect them, but we cannot afford to lose to them again, we lost the first game because some of our boys were screened out and we had to improvise, but now the boys have fully understood their roles and they know what is at stake,” the former National U-13 team coach added.

On his part, the head coach of the Lagos state team, Shakito Giwa, says his boys are up to the task.

“ This is our first time of participating in this tournament, but we have set a target which is to bring the trophy back to Lagos, but above that we are just happy to showcase our developmental programmes in Lagos state,” coach Giwa concluded.  

Meanwhile, head of the disciplinary committee of the tournament, Ganiyu Majekodunmi,has revealed that team Katsina have been disqualified from further participating in the championship, over gross indiscipline exhibited by their players during their semi final game against Lagos .

“When players of age 13 start insulting a referee that could be as old as their father, you know there is problem, the boys did not only attack match officials, they were also unruly to their coach.

“It is unacceptable, hence their disqualification and further sanctions may still be applied." Majek revealed.

The third place match billed for 2pm on Tuesday will now be contested by Team Niger and the winner of a playoff match between team Ogun and team Kaduna.

The final match slated for 4pm the same day will determine the 2013 champions  Of the NFF U-13 Football Championship.

Also, 25 players would be picked for the national under-13 team camp at the end of the competition by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)