Abuja – Spotlight Football Club of Katsina on Wednesday crashed out of the 2015 Federation Cup after a 1-3 loss to BJ Foundation FC of Benin in a Round of 32 match.
Suleiman Ibrahim of Spotlight opened scoring in the 17th minute of the game played at the Area 3 Football Pitch in Abuja, but they could not build on that lead.
Enaruna Micheal equalised for the Benin team in the 37th minute, while Francis Ikponmwousa, scored their second goal four minutes later.
Thereafter, Junior Osaghae’s goal in the 57th minute was all the non-league side needed to send packing the Nigeria National League (NNL) clubside.
At the end of the match, Douglas Idahosa, coach of BJ Foundation, was happy that his team had progressed to the Round of 16.
“Words cannot express how happy I am. Beating Spotlight is not a big deal for the team, because we have defeated clubs that are bigger than Spotlight.
“And until we reach the finals, I will not say the team has achieved success,’’ he said.
Idahosa also said the team was ready to play any team in the Round of 16.
“We are not afraid of any team, including the clubs in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
“When you play against big teams, you make a name for yourself. So, we are ready to suprise any team in the next round,’’ he added.
On his part, Bashir Sadauki, the Technical Adviser of Spotlight FC, said he was disappointed with the officiating.
“I am not happy that we crashed out at this stage. But the officiating was very bad and it appeared as if the referees had decided the future of the match even before it started.
“They (referees) are not helping the growth of the game,’’ he said.(NAN)
