Some of the quarter finalists in the 6th Ships & Ports Maritime Cup competition have emerged.
Defending champions, Nigeria Customs Service which opened the defence of their Maritime Cup title on a bright note as they defeated hard fighting Dominion Divine Freight Forwarders (DDFF) 2-1 in the opening match of the competition on Monday were the first to book a quarter final ticket after walking over Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) on Wednesday.
Customs topped Group C with the maximum six points and a goal difference of +4. Divine Dominion also qualified from Group C with four points having also walked over NSC which did not turn up for its group matches.
Micura has also qualified from Group A having defeated new entrants African Circle in their first match played last Monday. Micura later played a goalless draw with Sifax Group to secure four points and a goal difference of +5 to top Group A sail into the quater final of the tournament. Sifax group on Friday evening defeated African Circle 1-0 to gather four points but with a goal difference of +1 to book the second quaretr final ticket from the group.
In Group D, the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) won their two macthes to book their semi-final ticket. NAGAFF defeated APM Terminals Apapa 3-0 in their first match on Tuesday. They also defeated Mickey Excellency on Thursday to secure the maximum six points from Group D.
The other quarter finalists had not emerged as at the time of compiling this report on Friday evening.
Meanwhile, encomiums have been poured on Ships & Ports Communication for initiating and sustaining the annual Maritime Cup competition.
Speaking last Monday during the Opening Ceremony of the annual competition, President General of the Nigerian Football and Other Sports Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, commended the organisers of the competition for introducing sports into the otherwise serious maritime industry.
Ladipo, a clearing agent and former President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), said the competition will build the bridge of friendship and cooperation in the maritime industry.
He charged the teams to embrace fair play and give in their best in the tournament.
“I am a clearing agent and I am proud to say it anytime. Many people think I make money in supporters club but they are wrong. The money I make as a clearing agent is what I even spend to promote the supporters club,” he said.
The Founder of NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, also commended the level of organisation of this year’s competition.
The Maritime Cup trophy is sponsored by Micura Stevedoring Services and named in honour of Late Pa John Okunloye – the deceased father of Chairman, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria, Princess (Dr.) Vicky Haastrup.
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