*By: 
Oseni Tajudeen*

       

The stage is set for the highly anticipated final of the 2024 FCT Pre-Season Tournament, organized by the FCT Chapter of the NIGERIA FOOTBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION. The grand finale will take place this Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 3:00 PM, at the Area 3 football pitch in Abuja. The match will see EFCC FC and FWC FC battle for supremacy in what promises to be an electrifying encounter.

In the semi-final matches, FWC FC edged out Ejike Ugboaja FC (EUFC) with a narrow 1-0 victory, while EFCC FC comfortably defeated CAMP United 3-1, earning their spots in the tournament’s final.

Speaking with Sportspro, FWC FC head coach Bunmi Haruna, popularly known as Bunni Blair, who also doubles as a sports analyst and radio presenter, expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance. "Our victory was well-deserved, and it’s the result of hard work. My players capitalized on one of the opportunities that came their way, and we turned it into a goal," he said. However, Haruna emphasized that his team is still a work in progress. "This is a pre-season tournament, and we are focusing on improving our technical play to ensure we get the best out of the squad. I appreciate our fans for their unwavering support and assure them that our goal is to elevate the team to the Nigeria National League (NNL), which is our immediate objective."

On the other side, EUFC head coach Bartholomew David acknowledged the effort his players put into reaching the semi-finals. "It’s a remarkable achievement to finish among the top four out of 31 teams, and my players deserve recognition, despite our loss today," David said. He also highlighted areas for improvement, specifically in ball control and technical execution, which his team will address going forward.

In the other semi-final, the match between EFCC FC (the "Eagle Eye Boys") and Camp United (the "Barrack Boys") was interrupted by heavy rainfall. The game was paused with 33 minutes left to play and resumed the following morning at 9:00 AM, with EFCC FC ultimately securing a 3-1 victory. EFCC FC head coach Kabiru A. Sani praised his players' resilience and teamwork, which have propelled them to the final. "We are using this tournament to screen players and prepare for the upcoming season. Last season, we competed in the Nigeria Nationwide League (NLO) and the National Challenge Cup. With determination, we hope to make it to the NNL this season," Sani stated confidently.

CAMP United coach Cornelius Monday graciously accepted the result, commending his boys for their performance.

The FCT Pre-Season Tournament serves not only as preparation for the upcoming season but also as a platform for coaches to evaluate and select top talents, furthering the development of football in the region. All eyes will be on Area 3 this Saturday as EFCC FC and FWC FC go head-to-head for the prestigious title.