Fans celebrate, as Arsenal brings FA Cup to Nigeria

Fans of London club, Arsenal, yesterday in Lagos had the opportunity to feel the English FA Cup, which the team has won in the past two editions.

The colourful event was made possible by the Nigerian partners of the team, Sterling Bank, which was fully represented at the occasion that also featured some customers of the bank.

The trophy was on parade at the Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island as fans took photographs with the trophy and visiting Arsenal representatives.

Arsenal’s Partner Services Executive, Alex Smith, said the tour was important because the club appreciates the support the English team enjoys in Africa. Smith said: “We have similar arrangement with some other African countries, including South Africa.

The trophy is here for Nigerian fans to have a feel of what the team is doing out there in the UK and also in Europe. “The partnership with Sterling Bank is a tremendous one for the team because we have received some of the fans and customers of the bank at the Emirates Stadium for live games.”

Sterling Bank’s Head of Consumer banking, Gbenga Adegoke, said the bank had similar virtues with Arsenal. “Arsenal believes in gradual growth to achieve success and that is what the bank is doing in Nigeria. We are proud to be partners of the club,” he said.