By Abolanle Oluwatola
The ongoing 2025 Ships & Ports Maritime Cup Tournament delivered a wave of excitement on Tuesday at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Sports Ground, Surulere, Lagos, as the Nigeria Customs Service and the National Inland Water Authority (NIWA) navigated their way to crucial victories, setting an impressive pace in the competition.
The day’s opener pitted five-time winners Nigeria Customs Service against 2019 champions ENL Consortium in a high-stakes duel.
The first half was a tense defensive masterclass, with both sides locking horns in a midfield battle. The ENL defence, notably stout, successfully stonewalled every Customs offensive thrust, sending the match into the break scoreless.
The deadlock was finally shattered in the 49th minute when ENL’s dynamic forward, Ajose Emmanuel (No. 7), breached the Customs backline to slot home the opener, sending a jolt of energy through the ENL camp.
However, the Customs response was immediate and devastating. Galvanized by the deficit, they ramped up the pressure. Just six minutes later, in the 55th minute, Abuado Joseph (No. 19) connected with a clinical finish to equalize, igniting the fervent Customs supporters who immediately burst into chants and cheers.
The momentum had decisively shifted. Customs pressed their advantage, and in the 79th minute, the clinical Familola Fatai (No. 9) delivered the decisive blow, netting the team’s second goal. Despite a desperate late flurry of attacks from the ENL Consortium, the Customs defence held firm until the final whistle, securing a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory.
In the second fixture, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) arrived with clear intent, unleashing an offensive torrent against Group A rival, Apapa Bulk Terminal Limited (ABTL).
NIWA wasted no time asserting their dominance. The lethal Francis Oparanozie (No. 7) opened the scoring in the 26th minute, setting the tone for a dominant performance. Despite ABTL’s valiant attempts to match the intensity, they struggled to find a foothold.
Oparanozie was simply unstoppable. The striker doubled his tally just before the interval, striking again in the 45th minute to send NIWA into the break with a commanding 2-0 lead.
The relentless pressure from NIWA compounded ABTL’s frustrations, and Oparanozie completed his sensational hat-trick in the 64th minute.
The onslaught didn’t stop there. Mohammed Mohammed (No. 4) sealed the comprehensive victory in the 70th minute, capping a ruthless display of attacking football.
NIWA cruised to a resounding 4-0 win.
Full fixtures and the latest group standings can be found on the tournament’s official website: www.maritimecup.com, offering enthusiasts a chance to follow every development as the contest gathers pace.