The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Football Club, EFCC, FC, on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 booked a place at the quarter finals of the ongoing Confederation Cup after beating Wikki Tourists FC of Bauchi State in a game that ended 0-1.
The crucial win marks the first time in history that a team from F.C.T made it far in the Confederation Cup. With it, the EFCC Football team is proceeding to battle Kebbi United FC in the quarter-finals.
The Wednesday game was witnessed by sports lovers and cheerleaders. It initially saw the opponent dominate the first half of the match with poor scoring chances, however, some substitutes introduced by the EFCC team coach in the mid-field during the second half brought a balance into the game providing clear scoring chances, which were converted into two goals with an earlier goal that was disallowed.
Wikki Tourists FC goalkeeper could not stop the sensational acrobatic kick from the EFCC FC striker Martins Sule, with jersey number 9, during the 76th minute that provided the win for the team, despite pressure from the opponent for an equalizer throughout the remaining time of play proved abortive.
Addressing the team before the match, the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Ola Olukoyede, who spoke through the Kano Zonal Director, Ibrahim Shazali appreciated the boys for coming this far in the tournament, urging them to win the rest of the games and bringing home the trophy.
“I know you have a track record of winning trophies, so I believe you will win this game, you will also go ahead to win the cup and you will bring it here and we will take it to Abuja. So, I wish you all the best” he said.
Also speaking during an interview after the victory, the Head Coach of the team, Kabiru Sani said he owed the victory to God Almighty, he also applauded the zeal and determination of the players.
“It has not been easy, but we thank God, we have been able to break the jinx in Abuja because ever since we have been playing in the Confederation Cup, there has been no team in Abuja that has made it this far but here we are in the quarter-finals. Last season, we were knocked out during the round of 16 by Sunshine of Akure, our prayer is that we will get to the semifinals and finals as well.
Regarding his expectations for the next game, the coach said, “We are meeting another NNL team, so it is not a game we are going to underrate, it is a game we want to make a name for ourselves and also make a name for the Commission, so we appreciate all our fans and the EFCC staff that came out to support us, we are grateful”.
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EFCC Charges Nigerians on Tax Obligations
The Kano Zonal Director of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, CE Ibrahim Shazali, has called on Nigerians from all walks of life to always fulfil their tax obligation in order to place Nigeria on the path of sustainable development. He also charged the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, in Kano State to galvanise its efforts in tax collection to strengthen the resolve of Nigerians to keep faith with their obligations.
He made these calls in Kano on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 while receiving the Kano Tax Comptroller of FIRS, Mr. Umar Halilu Abubakar who paid him a courtesy visit.
According to him, an enhanced tax system could significantly boost revenue generation for the country thereby jumpstarting development in all layers of the economy. “It is crucial for us to understand that paying taxes is not merely a statutory responsibility but a civic duty with profound implications for national prosperity,” he said.
In his remark, The Tax Comptroller corroborated Shazali’s submissions, describing his visit to the EFCC as a crucial step towards fostering cooperation in combating tax evasion and fortifying tax compliance mechanisms among Nigerians.
Abubakar disclosed that the main objective of his visit was to familiarize himself with the EFCC and solicit for more support from the Commission in tackling tax evaders..