This Tournament Is Competitive -Reuben

Kano Pillars and Super Eagles player, Gabriel Reuben has rated the ongoing Federation Cup high, saying that it is a good development that would create a healthy rivalry among Nigerian clubs.

Reuben expressed his happines to P.M.Sports after his club defeated El-Kanemi Kwara United 2-1 in their second group match at the Agege Stadium in Lagos. The player said having been playing in the Federation Cup for a very long time, he  discovered that the tourney has improved based on what is happening this year.

The former Kaduna United player disclosed that with reports he has been receiving from different centres hosting matches of the Fed Cup, he is convinced that the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has really done well.

Reuben, who made his debut for the Super Eagles in 2010, said officiating of the games has been fair, adding that the officials have also set a standard for the others to follow.

According to the player; “This year’s Federation Cup has been very competitive. I must also commend the NFF for its contribution to the tourney because if it is not for some crucial decisions, the competition would have been marred by crisis.”

Reuben, however believes that there is still room for improvement in the Federation Cup, provided the clubs and officials are ready to play by the rules governing the game.

On Pillars’ chances of qualifying for the next stage of the tourney, he said: “Despite the fact that we are on top of the table at the Lagos centre, my teammates and I will work hard to ensure that we win our last group match against El Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri today. We are not there yet, but we are very close to qualifying for the next stage of the tourney. I believe we’ll scale El-Kanemi’s hurdle to the quarter final.”

—Adebobola Alawode