Rookies boot Big Boys out of FA Cup race

For teasers, Gabros FC, Kano Pillars FC, Shooting Stars FC, Julius Berger FC and Wikki Tourists FC, all Premiership sides, fell like packs of cards to unknown teams.  Gabros FC of Nnewi, a team that claimed to have fortified themselves and ready to upturn the league table in the second round, fell to pro-league side, Bayelsa United.

The Pillars of Kano crumbled before the United and hot-blooded boys from Keffi – an unknown side. Premier League ambitious side, Julius Berger FC, had their ego dented and bruised by a Benin City-based Academy, Paulson FC.

Loud-mouthed Shooting Stars, ‘The Oluyole Warriors’ would not have in their wildest dream, believed that, their shootings were not sharp enough…not at a team like SEC FC. They found out the truth when they were pitched against the rookies of SEC FC.

They got their stars shrouded and their trap shut…The youths of SEC bundled them out with a lone goal shocker.  FC Arugo stunned the Nigerian soccer world, when a few years back, they dribbled their way into the final of the FA Cup, and only to be stage-managed out of the trophy path in the ‘Nigerian way’.

The Owerri, Imo State soccer kindergartens looked poised to re-enact their acts again this time around.  And poor Wikki Tourists of Bauchi…they were Arugo’s first prey and a 2-1 score was all the boys needed to bash the dream of the Bauchi State pride team.

Some football nuts still believe that when the FA Cup enters its crucial stages from the Round of 16, the story line would change.  To these groups, the boys would give way to the men.  But Premiership sides that have had their egos bruised by these youngsters, will live to remember the humiliation…not they alone, but together with their teeming disciples.

In other matches of the FA Cup Round of 32, continental title chasers, Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt escaped being rubbished by Yobe Stars.  The survived with a 5-3 victory via penalty shoot-outs.

Akure, Ondo State’s Sunshine FC fell 0-1 to Gombe United FC; El-Kanemi FC mauled harpless Moulam FC 5-0; Premier League sides, Zamfara and Kwara United ended their FA Cup ‘romance’ 1-2.
 While Gateway FC of Abeokuta kicked Premier League compatriots, NPA Seasiders out with a lone goal victory; ruthless Nationale FC of Owerri, dazed Ranch Bees 2-0. Lobi Stars defeated OUK FC 1-0, and Nassarawa FC beat Niger Tornadoes by a lone goal.

Rangers of Enugu handled their unknown Gashaka kids with steel boots, handing them four goals against their one.  Premier Leaguers Sharks FC of Port Harcourt and self-styled ‘Arsenal’ Insurance FC of Benin City ended their clash with a goal in favour of Sharks.