Rivers, cash strapped, cancels FA Cup final

Football lovers in Nigeria’s Rivers State may not have a chance to know which is the better of the two state’s giants, Sharks and Dolphins, as the state’s Football Association has said there will be no FA Cup final.

Secretary of the Rivers State Football Association, Benjamin Akobo said during the semi final games yesterday that the Rivers State FA has no money to stage the final.

He further stated that since both finalists have already qualified for the national Federation Cup, there would be no need to bother with playing the state’s final, which is only ceremonial.

“ We didn’t get any fund released from the Rivers State Sports Ministry and there is nothing we can do about it.

“I can defend this decision anywhere and anyone who does not like it can make a protest. That is the way it will be,” Akobo declared.

Both Sharks and Dolphins have a local rivalry dating back many years, with Sharks being named publicly as the preferred team in the state.