Future Eagles and Kakuri United will lock horns this evening in the grand finale of the fifth edition of the NSM/Walin Kakuri Ramadan Cup sponsored by Mallam Sani Abdullahi.
Both teams edged Zebra FC and YMCA FC through landmark boardroom decisions even though they were beaten in the semi-finals played last weekend at the Government Day Secondary School, Kakuri.
Zebra FC defeated Future Eagles 3-1 while YMCA who despite getting to the last four as the best loser (and should have been eliminated in the first round) almost secured a final berth after pipping Kakuri United 2-1 in the last four. But both teams, however, have their dreams cut short due to their shortcomings. They were adjudged to have used ineligible players: Paul Emmanuel (Zebra FC) and Miracle Uche (YMCA FC) and after a formal complaint was lodged both Zebra FC and YMCA FC were disqualified by the Organising and Disciplinary Committee 2021 NSM/Walin Kakuri Ramadan Cup headed by the Chairman, Kaduna Referee Association, Yunusa Abubakar. Other members of the committee are Jide Bodunde (Secretary) and Grace John (Member).
Regarding the tie between Kakuri United vs YMCA FC, the O & D in a statement signed by Bodunde on behalf of the committee it was stated: “After hearing from both teams over the protest filled by Kakuri United FC against YMCA FC for fielding an ineligible player by the name Miracle Uche during the semi-final match of both teams at the NSM/Walin Kakuri Ramadan Cup.
“After thorough findings and investigations by the O & D of the NSM/Walin Kakuri Ramadan Cup, YMCA FC is hereby guilty of fielding an ineligible player by the name Miracle Uche who had earlier played for Celtic Football Academy in the same competition.
“By these findings, YMCA FC is guilty of the said offence and have lost the semi-final match to Kakuri United FC.
This decision is final and cannot be challenged.”
The committee also resolved the protest lodged by Future Eagles thus: “After hearing from both teams over the protest filled by Future Eagles FC against Zebra FC for fielding an ineligible player by the name Paul Emmanuel during the semi-final match of both teams at the NSM/Walin Kakuri Ramadan Cup.
“After thorough findings and investigations by the O & D of the NSM/Walin Kakuri Ramadan Cup, Zebra FC is hereby guilty of fielding an ineligible player by the name Paul Emmanuel who had earlier played for Stoke City in the same competition.
“By these findings, Zebra FC is guilty of the said offence and have lost the semi-final match to Future Eagles FC.
“This decision is final and cannot be challenged.”
The Walin Kakuri Ramadan Cup is an annual football competition which is in its fifth edition and is aimed at fostering peace, friendship, and unity among the good people of Kakuri. The tournament is solely sponsored by the Walin Kakuri, Mallam Sani Abdullahi who has been using his money and energy to advance the course of Kanuri people for several years now through football.
The sponsor, Sani Abdullahi said he is indebted to the monetary and technical assistance rendered by the President, Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engr Musa Nimrod, the owner of Giwa FC, Ambassador Christopher Giwa, and President, 36 Lion FC, Hajj Gafar Liameed and he called on others that have promised to Identify with the competition not to relent in doing so.
The sponsor, Abdullahi confirmed that all was set for the final and that the finalists are set to be rewarded with mouth-watering prizes while teams from the quarter-final stages will have specially designed certificates. Best Player, Best goalkeeper, Highest goal scorer, Best Team and others will be honoured and given special prizes.
2021 WALIN KAKURI /NSM RAMADAN CUP COMPETITION FULL RESULTS AND FIXTURES
FIRST ROUND
*MD 1 Friday 16th April 2021
Zebra 2-0 Campus Boys
*MD 2 17th Saturday April 2021
Kakuri United 2 -1 Celtics
*MD 3 Sunday 18th April 2021
YMCA 0-0 F C Porto (3- 4) PK
*MD 4 Tuesday 20th April 2021
Zifa 3-0 Congo 2
*MD 5 Wednesday 21st April 2021
Kakuri Old Stars 1-0 Stock City
*MD 6 22nd Thursday April 2021
Desert Warriors 0-1 Future Eagles
MD 7, Friday 23rd April 2021
F C Court 3-0 Rubin Kazah
QUARTER-FINAL RESULTS
Zebra FC 1-1 FC Porto (9-8 on penalties)
Kakuri United 1-0 Kakuri All-Stars
Future Eagles 2-0 Zifa FC, May 1
FC Court 0-1 YMCA FC, May 2
SEMI-FINAL RESULTS
Zebra FC 3-1 Future Eagles ,May 8 (Result overturned by the O& D and Future Eagles won after Zebra FC was disqualified for using an ineligible player)
Kakuri United 1-2 YMCA FC, May 9 (Kakuri United was named the winner after the O& D overturned the result. YMCA was disqualified for the use of mercenary player)
FINAL
Future Eagles vs Kakuri United, May 13
