FA Cup Shocker: Kogi United edged out by FMC, to miss 2015 national finals-Flatimes

Thursday, 26 March 2015

FA Cup Shocker: Kogi United edged out by FMC, to miss 2015 national finals


..........FC Lokoja face Idah United in semis on Thursday

Title Holders & Nigeria National League side Kogi-United FC will miss 2015 National FA Cup finals for the first time in at least nine years after 3-0 defeat via penalty to Federal Medical Centre in semis in Lokoja on Wednesday.

Reigning champions began behind as Ilyasu Hassan fired the non-league side ahead in the 20th minute before Nelson Ukwa leveled up 1-1 for Kogi United by dragging the encounter played at the Kogi Confluence Stadium into score-draw at full time.

The surprise defeat means Confluence Boys have earned their second beating against a non-league side in space of four years after 4-3 loss via penalty to Kabu FC in 2012 state finals.

However, Cup giantkillers FMC recorded their third victory in the competition after earlier edged out Kogi State University 4-3 and FC 24 1-0 in the preliminary and quarter-final respectively before latest shocker.

While Idah United who dumped out Koton Karfe Ambassadors 2-0 and walk over Ankpa Leopards will failed to turn up in the opening and last eight round respectively to lock horns with bye Nigeria Nation-Wide League side FC Lokoja.

The winner between Idah and Lokoja FC will face famous stingers FMC in the finals scheduled to hold on Monday, May 4.

Kogi United are unlikely to defend the won in last year's state Federation Cup after they defeated local rivals, FC Lokoja, 7-6 on penalties at the same venue.

Meanwhile, FMC have qualified for the National Federation Cup finals after reaching the state Cup finals.

By Samuel Ahmadu, follow him on TWITTER