Derby FC have emerged champions of the FCT FA pre-season tournament after defeating Nurudeen FC 3-0 at the Area 3 Sports Stadium in Abuja.
A total of 27 teams, including three NNL and four NLO clubs participated in the competition.
The game started with high momentum from Derby FC who were brilliant in all departments and showed class from the beginning of the game till the end.
However, despite the outcome of today’s game, both teams made history by becoming the first non-league teams to participate in the final.
Derby FC’s defeat throughout the competition was only to former champions EFCC during their opener and did find their rhythm back as they went on to win the remaining six games with the most famous win against Likeminds FC in the semi-finals.
Recall also that Derby FC defeated the Golden Eaglets 6-4 few days ago.
Reacting after the game, coach of Derby FC, Ghassan said they had a very good game and that they took control and shaped the game in their own way.
He further revealed that the lads were in good shape and ready for the FCT FA Cup.
“We have been prepared since we started this project in May 2022 to develop young talents and today playing against older teams including those playing in the national division shows we are in good shape and momentum”
“So we know who is ready to make it to Europe from the U-17 as well as the U18”
“We are ready for the next challenge which is the FCT FA Cup and we have also organized a league together with HP and other academies. The Abuja league for U-20 and we are running it for a whole year”.
Also reacting, Coach of Nurudeen FC, Abbawa Ibrahim said his boys lost concentration during the game but that there were lots of positives to take from the defeat.
” In football it happens but what I noticed with my boys this afternoon is that they lost concentration and they were overexcited coming to this stage”
“Coming to this stage they feel they have made it, nobody have us a chance. We we’re the last team to register”
“The exposure we got from the tournament alone is something positive for an academy like us”.
Meanwhile, Derby FC received virtually all of the individual award as the the most valuable player award was won by the captain of the team, Michael while Ahmed Muhammad won the highest goal scorer ward. The best goalkeeper and coach of the tournament was won by Usman Mohammed and Coach Ghassan respectively.
Okulo Onne of Ejele FC also won the young player of the tournament award.
The FCT football Pre-Season Cup is a tournament billed to prepare teams for the FCT FA cup which is set to commence soon.
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