NUJ Football Tournament: FCT SWAN Bows Out In the first round

Team FCT Sports Writers Association Of Nigeria, SWAN faced a first round exit in the ongoing 2024 Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Correspondent Chapel Football Tournament, as they were edged 0-1 by sponsors Aiben at the Old Parade Ground, Area 10 Garki, Abuja on Thursday 11^th July.

The second edition of the tournament, saw the highly anticipated match between both sides live up to its billing as a late minute penalty call by the referee caused an uproar from both fans and players of team FCT SWAN. However, Divine Chima converted the penalty, sending Aiben to the next round.

Also Read: FCT SWAN Begins Preparations For NUJ Football Tournament

Speaking after the match, Head Coach of FCT SWAN, Abdul Onimisi, was proud of his team’s performance, as he assured that they would be improvement from his side. Siting that the officiating caused them the game.

“It was a very nice game. You can see the both teams displayed some qualities of football. But it’s unfortunate that we lost. Nevertheless, we are going to put our house in order. So we’ll be having a subsequent training, so that something like this will not reoccur. You can see some of the players are not fit because they have not been training. So we are going to make it compulsory that every week we must have one or two training.

If you watch the game properly, if you are independent, not even a contract.”

Also speaking on the game, the disgruntled captain of FCT SWAN, Michael Obasi, said they were heading towards a penalty shootout until the controversy.

“We are disappointed we lost. Knowing fully well we prepared for this game. We thought we would have gotten at least something out of it. It was a game that we were pushing towards maybe a penalty shootout. Because when you look at our team, at the closing stages of the game, we became very tired. So we were trying to conserve energy, play for a penalty shootout.

Unfortunately, it was a controversial goal. It was still very debatable. We are disappointed that the referee gave that goal. But again, it is still going to take it like that. But again, it is still going to take it like that. And I’ll prepare for next time.”

Meanwhile, Aiben’s coach, Engr. Chidi Kalu, insists referees’ calls are final and shouldn’t be contested.

“It was a nice game, the both teams played well, although there was a controversial goal, but whether you win by error or you win by means necessary, right, once it has been said that it’s a goal, from the right angle, talking about the officials, once there is a verdict that it’s a goal, from the right angle, talking about the officials, once there is a verdict on that, I believe the verdict has to be on our behalf.”

The first round of the three day tournament, saw Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) thrashed 0-3 by Nigeria Custom Service, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) fell 0-1 to Federal Road Safety Corps.

Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) ousted the host NUJ captained by former deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu by a lone goal. While, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) fell by the same score line to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and the last game of the day saw Nigeria Police Force (NPF) beat Federal High Court (FHC) 2-1.

NUJ Football Tournament: FCT SWAN Bows Out In the first round