As the date for the federation group stages draw near, the four teams in group A of the 2012 federation cup, Enyimba, Wolves, Lobi Stars and Samba FC have threatened not to show up in Bauchi for their group games.
Warri wolves have already filled an official compliant to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) organizers of the competition, which is the oldest in Nigeria.
There have been reported cases of bombings in the Northern part of the country and asking the teams to go to Bauchi which is core Northern Nigerian city is not safe, especially with the recent killings of about 100 Nigerian citizens in Jos, Plateau State which also included a serving Senator and another member of the state house of assembly.
Reports reaching Imo Trumpeta sports desk did reveal that the other three clubs drawn to play in the Bauchi centre, Enyimba, Lobi Stars and Samba have also stated that they won’t be in Bauchi for the round of 16 games.
According to the media chief of Warri Wolves, Timi Ebika Wolves would not travel to Bauchi for the matches because the city is not safe.
“we have already written formally to the NFF through the Delta Football Association (DFA) telling them that we will not travel to Bauchi, Timi said.
“We have also been in discussion with officials of the three clubs and I can confirm that this is not a unilateral decision by wolves.
“The other clubs have also stated that they won’t be in Bauchi because we don’t think the city is safe,” he said.
Up till now the NFF officials have not made any comment concerning the security situation in Bauchi and with the claims emanating from the four clubs of boycotting the round of 16 games stated for Bauchi.
The group games of the 2012 Federation cup is expected to be kicked off simultaneously in the four zones on July 16 at Lagos, Portharcourt, Lokoja and Bauchi.
With the disturbing complaints from the clubs at Bauchi zone, the Nigeria Football Federation, the organizers of the oldest cup game in the nation will have to come up with a statement on where the Bauchi games will be taken to.
