Apapa Bulk Terminal Limited (ABTL) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) recorded important victories on Tuesday in the ongoing 2025 Maritime Cup tournament, following a day of high-stakes group matches at the NIS Pitch, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
The day’s opener, played at 9:00 a.m., saw ABTL overpower fellow terminal operator and Group A contenders Dangote Ports Operations with a confident 2–0 win.
The result further tightens competition in a group already dominated by defending champions Comet Shipping.
In the second match played at noon in Group B, 2019 champions ENL Consortium suffered a surprising 1–3 defeat to NIMASA.
ENL struck first, taking the lead 19 minutes into the match, while NIMASA struggled to find a breakthrough. Their persistence paid off in the 30th minute when Jimoh Ridwan fired home the equalizer, sending both teams into halftime tied at 1–1.
NIMASA returned for the second half with renewed intensity, taking control of the game and closing out the match in commanding fashion.
Striker Sulaiman Abdullateef gave his side the lead in the 68th minute, before Emmanuel Ibekwe sealed the win with a third goal in the 87th minute.
With Tuesday’s results, Comet Shipping remain atop Group A with six points from two matches. ABTL now sit second with four points from two games.
In Group B, three-time champions Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) continue to lead with six points from two matches. NIMASA follows with three points and a +1 goal difference, edging ENL Consortium, who also have three points but boast no goal advantage.
The tournament action resumes today at the NPA Sports Ground, Surulere, Lagos, with two critical fixtures. At 12:00 noon, LTT Coastal will face five-time champions Nigeria Customs Service in a highly anticipated Group B clash.
At 3:00 p.m., 2010 champions Micura Services will battle Group A rivals, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), in what promises to be another competitive encounter.
Full match schedules and updated group standings are available at www.maritimecup.com.