HEARTLAND FC on Sunday lifted the 2011 edition of the Federation Cup 18 years after winning the old FA Cup.A 40th minute goal scored by Chinedu Efugh was all the Naze Millionaires, under the tutelage of Dutchman Lodewijk De Kruif needed to beat favourites, Enyimba FC of Aba in the final match played at the Teslim Balogun Satdium, Lagos.The Heartland skipper was lucky enough, arriving on time to score after Enyimba goalkeeper Godwin Paul failed to grab a powerful header from a Heartland player which he spilled over.That goal, aside winning the trophy for Heartland also fetched Efugh the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for the encounter and above all a ticket to next year's CAF Confederation Cup competition.The joy of the players and officials of the club knew no bound as an 18 year jinx was broken. The team last won any title in 1993 which was the league.The last time the club won the FA Cup was in 1988 after defeating defunct Flash Flamingoes of Benin 3-0 at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan..It was Enyimba's second consecutive loss in the final having lost by 2-3 to Kaduna United in last year's final.The final match was watched by dignitaries which included Lagos State governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola and his Imo State counterpart, Owelle Rochas Okorocha among others.Meanwhile,OCEAN Boys of Brass beat Bayelsa United of Yenagoa 5-3 on penalties to emerge the winner of the losers final decided on Sunday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.Both sides battled to a 2-2 draw at the end of regulation time.Marttins Olopose opened scoring for Ocean Boys in the eight minutes while Emmanuel Enize levelled up for United in the 21st minute.Enize put his side in front in the 32nd minute but Tarilaye Nwankwe's 62nd minute equaliser ensured the game dragged to extra time which also failed to produce winner.Meanwhile,LAGOS State governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola wants the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos retained as the permanent venue for Nigeria's Fedeartaion Cup.The governor while speaking after the final of the 2011 edition held on Sunday, said staging the finals in Lagos will brinmg back the glamour associated with the competition.''We are happy to play host to the final for the second consecutive time and as you can see, it has really been glamourous.''I believe Lagos should be made the traditional venue for the finals of this competition just like the English FA CUP, Wembley remains the venue, it was changed when the stadium was rebuilt.''Every player will always look forward to play in Lagos and that to me is a way of bringing out theybest of our players,'' said governor Fashola.Meanwhile,IMO State governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha was full of praises for the victorious players of Heartland FC of Owerri after the team beat arch rivals Enyimba of Aba 1-0 in the final of the 2011 Federation Cup.Speaking after the encounter played at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, Okorocha said the players did well in breaking the 18 year jinx by winning the trophy.''This is a great day for me and the entire people of Imo State, for 18 years we have failed to win anything but the jinx has been broken today and I am happy it is happening at my time, this is just a tip of the Ice berg.''The boys played out of nothing and this will serve as an eye opener. What these young men need is encouragement and with this feat, we will give them much attention,'' said the excited governor. Okorocha, who said the victory will go a long way in relaunching the state into limelight as far as sport is concerned in the country, restating the committment of his administration to sports in the state.
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