Watching the Semi final match of the 2024 President's Federation Cup last week in Abuja made me had a retrospective look at the fallen standard of the game of football in the country.

I immediately took a nostalgic flashback to the first football match i watched live in 1972 as a 7 year old pupil of Methodist Primary school Bodija-Ibadan. I remember vividly how my father carried me on his shoulder to enter the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan. The match  which was a Semi final match  between Midwest Vipers (Now Bendel Insurance) and  Mighty Jets of Jos. I still recollect the bicycle kick scored by one Mighty Jets diminutive striker, whom i later got to know is Sule Kekere.

I further fast forwarded to 1986 Semi final  match played at the National stadium Lagos between Iwuanyanwu Nationale and Leventis United. The crowd was something else. At my sitting position at the FIFA Goal Project , where I was watching the semi final match between Elkanemi Warriors and Kebbi United, I  took a second look round the scanty crowd that was less than one hundred that came to watch the match. The game itself was nothing to write home about. Then, I  started asking those sitting around me,  where did we get it wrong? What can we do to return the glamour of the Federation Cup?

A brief history of the Nigeria Federation Cup, which has changed its name severally. The tournament was created in 1945 as the Governor's Cup. The competition was initially dominated by Lagos teams. In 1954 to 1959, the competition was known as the Nigeria FA - The competition was known as the Nigeria Challenge Cup from 1960 to 1998.
Between 1999 to 2008, it became known as the Coca-Cola FA Cup. From 2009 to 2016, the competition became the Nigeria Federation Cup.
It was sponsored by the AITEO group and known as the AITEO Cup, including the women's tournament, from 2017 to 2022. The competition became the President's Federation Cup in 2024. 

Shooting Stars are the most successful club, having won the competition eight times.
Lagos Railways followed with 7 titles and Enugu Rangers with six titles.Bendel Insurance are the current champions, having won the 2023 tournament for their fourth.

As the finals of competirion are played today, for the First time at Moshood Abiola Nationa Stadium, Abuja, the things that run through the minds of many soccer followers is how would the glamour of the Federation Cup be returned. 

To achieve this, there should be an Increase in  prize money. The NFF who are the Organisers of the Competition should substantially raise the winners' prize to attract top clubs and players.

 Improve organization: They should enhance marketing, branding, and logistics to create a professional image.

Media coverage: They should secure television broadcast deals and online streaming to reach a wider audience.

Sponsorship: They should attract reputable brands to sponsor the tournament, increasing funding and credibility.

 Revamp format: They should consider introducing a group stage or zonal format to increase matches and excitement.

 Encourage fan engagement: They should promote fan festivals, activities, and social media campaigns to build a community.

Strengthen competition: They should ensure top clubs participate, and consider inviting international teams for a stronger field.

They should develop the grassroots by Investing in youth development programs, linking the Federation Cup to Nigeria's football growth.

 Honor history: They should celebrate past winners and legends, connecting the tournament's heritage to its future.

Consistency: They should regularly hold the tournament, avoiding scheduling conflicts with other competitions.

By implementing these measures, the  Federation Cup can regain its prestige and excitement in Nigerian football.