Governor’s Cup: Lavun, Kontagora, others through to semi final stage
Four Local Government have qualified for the semi final stage of the 2024 edition of Niger State Governor’s Cup Football Competition tagged, “Lapai 2024” which is currently going on in Lapai town.
The local governments are Lavun, Kontagora, Suleja and the host, Lapai local government.
To reach the semi final stage, Lavun local government who is reaching the semi final stage for the first time since the commencement of the Governor’s Cup in 1980, edged out Mariga local government who got alot of motivation from the Speaker of the state assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulmalik Sarkin Daji, by 4-2 via penalty shootout, after both teams played goalless draw at regulation time.
It was a zone C affairs between Kontagora who qualified as one of the best losers from the group stage, and Rijau LG, with luck on the side of Kontagora LG who got regained their form back. The team defeated Rijau by 5-4 via penalties, after a one all draw.
The host, Lapai LG who are enjoying all the support they deserve in the tournament, both financially and morally, from both their home fans and leaders. The team piped their zone A brothers from Gbako LG by a lone goal to book for a place in the last four.
Suleja LG appears to be one of the favourites of the tournament. The team eliminated another zone A team, Katcha LG by 3-2 via penalty shootout after a one all draw.
With the semi final matches billed for tomorrow (Thursday), the pairing shows that Lavun LG will battle for the final ticket against Kontongora LG, while the host, Lapai LG will luck horns with Suleja LG.
Meanwhile, the council Chairman of Lavun local government area, Hon. Mohammed Isah Kutigi who is the chief supporter of the Lavun LG team has promised a handsome reward for his players if they qualify for the finals.
The Council Chairman made the promise while addressing the players and team officials shortly after their quarter final match against Mariga LG. He also promised that they will have a new football boot each and set of jersey with each player’s name chrested on it.