Malaintarki Beat EFCC FC To Lift 2023 FCT FA Cup
By Niyi Busari
Malaintarki Football Club are 2023 FCT Federation Cup champions after handing a 4-3 win over the defending champions , EFCC FC, BSNSports.com.ng reports.
The final which kicked off at 4:00pm at the Area 3 Sports Complex saw both sides played a goalless draw in the duration time. Malaintarki were the better side as EFCC FC goalkeeper recorded a man of the match performance to keep the result at 0-0 leading to penalty shoot-outs.
Malaintarki converted 4 out of five while the runners-up scored three to settle for silver.
Speaking after the match, head Coach of Malaintarki FC, Umar Sango admitted that it was a tough one for his team who are more matured than last year when they lost 1-2 to EFCC FC. He promised that his team will focus on playing in the final of the Federation Cup when it commences in May.
"It was a tough final. EFCC FC are good team but because we are now more matured than that of last season we were able to overcome them. They have their goalkeeper to thank because we would have won in the regulation time.
"Having won this, we are now focused on the playing in the final of the Federation Cup when it starts in May.
Kabiru Owolabi, EFCC FC coach who led the team to victory in the FA Cup against Malaintarki last year said he was proud of his boys performance adding that in football when it comes to penalty shoot-outs, it can go either way.
Like Sango, Kabiru said his attention has been shifted to the Nigeria National League opener on Wednesday while promising an improved performance in the FA Cup.
"I have no regret about the loss and I am proud about the performance of my players. They did well. In football, during penalty shoot-outs, any team can win. We now have to shift focus on the Nigeria National League opener on Wednesday while we are determined to improve on last season's performance in both the League and the FA Cup."
Both Malaintarki FC and EFCC FC will represent FCT in the national Federation Cup finals.