IT'S BLUES, NIGERIANS FINAL

Last weekend victories of Chelsea and Everton over Arsenal and Manchester United respectively have set the stage for Nigerian stars to be a part of the prestigious English FA Cup Final at the Wembley Stadium on May 30.

Incidentally, the last time Manchester United and Everton met in the crucial stage of the FA Cup Final was in the 1995 final which the Toffees won.

It also means that the last time Everton won it, there was a Nigerian factor as Daniel Amokachi was part of the Everton squad that won the 1995 FA Cup. This time around, the David Moyes-led side have three Nigerians in their fold.

While John Mikel Obi will feature for Chelsea in the final, Everton will have the trio of Joseph Yobo, injured Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Victor Anichebe who are all expected to rejoin their Everton mates before the final.

Nigerian players have participated in three consecutive times in the FA Cup final.

It would be recalled that Mikel was a key member of Chelsea squad that defeated Manchester United to lift the 2007 edition.

The duo of Nwankwo Kanu and John Utaka later won it with Portsmouth after beating Cardiff in the 2008 final.

Meanwhile, Alex Ferguson's target of winning four titles this season has been shattered, following their FA Cup ouster on Sunday. Though they already have the World Club Cup in their kitty, they are now left with only the Premiership and UEFA Champions League titles to battle for.