FA Cup: Dolphins blast NFA over Kano center

Diepreye Fiberesima told nigeriasports.com that he was not too happy about how things went in the center.

“First Coca/ Cola, the sponsors of the competition did not show up by the first day of the competition and we had to play in our own jerseys in a competition sponsored by the soft drinks giants.

“Other centers delayed their play by one day to ensure that the sponsors turn up but we were asked to play on. What if we did not come with our jerseys?”

He also frowned at the attitude of the organisers on the last day of the competition when they insisted on playing simultaneously against the earlier agreed format.

“Bayelsa United and Gabros were to play the first game at 2pm and we were to play Akwa United at 4pm but they insisted on playing simultaneously because they felt there may be match fixing but I thought that was just an indictment on the referee present. They did not trust the referee.

“I called other centers and I found out they were all playing their matches at 2pm and 4pm and queried the rationale behind making us play simultaneously but they insisted that it was to guard against match fixing but my question now is, was a match still not fixed that day?

“How did Bayelsa United score four goals against Gabros to top the group? The people were just inconsistent and insincere,” Fiberesima said.

Fiberesima also talked about the shoddy arrangement on the final day of the competition in Kano.

“Most of the FA officials went to watch the Bayelsa United match since they probably had interest there and the match between Dolphins and Akwa United was played without ball boys in the first twenty minutes before Kano locals jumped over the perimeter fencing to do the job of the official Coca/ Cola ball boys who happened to be at the Kano Pillars Stadium for the match between Bayelsa United and Gabros.

“It was terrible to see our players running around the stadium to pick the ball when ever it went out of play and the few FA officials present just watched on shamelessly. I believe things will improve any way but I want to say it loud and clear that the FA people who were sent to Kano were an embarrassment to the competition.”