Governor’s Cup: Niger Speaker targets trophy with Mariga LG football team

The Speaker of Niger State House of Assembly (NSHA), Rt. Hon. Abdulmalik Sarkin Daji, has disclosed that his local government team, Mariga will win the 2024 edition of the state Governor’s Cup Football Competition currently going on in Lapai local government area of the state.

The Speaker who was in Lapai for the second time on Wednesday, to support his constituency team, said they have already made a projection on winning the coveted Governor’s cup trophy.
He said with the way the team is playing with determination they were at the verge of meeting their target.

With a 1-0 win over Rijau team, Mariga local government team has emerged first in their group haven won two matches and drew one, which the Speaker said they have done excellently well and it worth celebrating.

He promised to continue to come around to motivate and cheer the team up to win the tournament.

“We have already projected, and God’s willing with their performance you can see that we are actually getting there,” said the Speaker.

He further stated that he was not surprised that they won against Rijau local government team, which is his best friend’s team, saying he had earlier boasted about that.

He equally redeemed his earlier pledge of ₦70,000 for each goal scored by his team and promised that the amount will be increased to ₦100,000 in the next game.

In a related development, the Chairman of Borgu local government area, Hon. Suleiman Mohammed Yarima, was also on ground when his team defeated Rafi local government team by 1-0 to qualify for the round of 16 stage of the competition.

Speaking to sports journalists shortly after the game, he said his boys played with a lot of commitment and that his presence motivated the players more and earned them the victory.

The Borgu local government Council Chairman who is equally an ex-footballer, promised to announce a handsome reward for the team if they beat their opponent in their next game, adding that their target is to see that the team reach the finals of the governor’s cup.

He further disclosed that his local government has a plan on ground to host the next edition of the Governor’s cup.