Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) sides Rivers United and
Lobi Stars lead the list of quarter-finalists which have emerged in
the 2019 Federation Cup.
Rivers United edged out Warri Wolves with a 2-0 victory at the Samson
Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa on Sunday.
Goals either side of half-time from Ossy Martins and Kehinde Adedipe
moved the Pride of Rivers closer to their dream of winning the
Federation Cup, after the disappointment of missing out on the NPFL
Super Six.
On their part, Lobi Stars also breezed past Abia Warriors as they beat
Emmanuel Deutsch’s men 3-1 to advance to the last eight.
At the Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu Ode, the Lagos state FA Cup
champions Smart City continued their fairytale run in the competition
when they edged out Nigeria National League (NNL) side Shooting Stars
5-4 on penalties.
The Oluyole Warriors were forced to a barren draw in regulation time
before they were outsmarted by the non-league side from Lagos.
Before Sunday’s feat, Smart City had knocked out the newly-crowned
NPFL champions Enyimba in the Round of 32.
Insurance of Benin have also qualified for the quarter-finals after
they outscored El-Kanemi Warriors 5-4 on penalties on Sunday.
The teams had played a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
The lottery of penalty kicks was also required in the Round of 16
clash between Niger Tornadoes and Cynosure.
Tornadoes had the last laugh in that encounter winning 3-2 on
penalties after the game had ended 2-2 in regulation period.
Kano Pillars marched on in their quest to win a first-ever Aiteo Cup
after they edged Kwara United 4-3 on penalties following a goalless
draw in regulation time in Abuja.
They will now face surprise team Aklosendi in the quarterfinal on
Friday in Kaduna.
Last year, they lost a pulsating Aiteo Cup final to Enugu Rangers
after they had led 3-0 deep into second half.
Well-taken goals by Ossy Martins and Kehinde Adedipe, either side of
half time, gave Rivers United a 2-0 win over Warri Wolves in a 2019
AITEO Cup round of 16 game on Sunday.
Rivers United uncharacteristically made a slow start to the game but
Wolves failed to make their early territorial advantage count.
The Port Harcourt side was always going to up the ante and when it
happened, it was with deadly efficiency.
A Peter Ubakanma free kick caused havoc in the Wolves box in the 14th
minute and with the Warri club failing to clear their lines, predatory
forward, Martins, lurking dangerously in the box, pounced and prodded
home to give Rivers United the lead.
Martins thought he’d doubled United’s lead in the 19th minute when he
shot fiercely into the top corner but the effort was correctly chalked
off for offside.
United were the superior side in the first half and deservedly took
the solitary advantage into the break.
Wolves improved markedly in the second half and just when it looked
like they had gained a foothold in the game, they were hit by a sucker
punch by United who scored their second in brilliant fashion just
after the hour mark.
Adedipe was the man on the money as he waltzed past the Wolves defence
before rounding off the spectacular solo effort with a firm strike
which the Wolves goalkeeper, Mamudu Belema failed to hold.
Kwara United were the better team at the FIFA Goal Project in Abuja
and they created the better chances, but they just could not put away
any of these openings.
Giant killers Smart City of Lagos have extended their fairytale run in
the Aiteo Cup after they progressed to the quarterfinal at the expense
of Shooting Stars with Lobi Stars, Bendel Insurance and Rivers United
also through to the last-eight.
Smart City of Lagos eliminated 3SC 5-4 on penalties after both teams
failed to score in regulation time.
The surprise Lagos FA winners had previously stopped NPFL champions Enyimba.
Lobi Stars fought back from a goal to beat Abia Warriors 3-1, while
Rivers United defeated Warri Wolves 2-0.
Bendel Insurance beat El Kanemi Warriors on penalties after both teams
were tied on 1-1 after 90 minutes.
In other Aiteo Cup quarterfinal clashes, Lobi Stars tackle Rivers
United, Niger Tornadoes will be up against giant killers Smart City
and Bendel Insurance take on Calabar Rovers.
Enyimba, Rangers, Akwa Utd, Sunshine and Kastina Utd out :
The round 16 match was a shocks in the 2019 Aiteo Cup as holders Enugu
Rangers, last year’s semi-finalists Katsina United, Enyimba, Sunshine
Stars and Nasarawa United all crashed out.
Lobi Stars avenged their loss in the NPFL championship when they
stopped Rangers 2-0, while Katsina United were outclassed 2-0 by
Shooting Stars with midfielder Fatai Gbadamosi scoring the opening
goal and catching the eye with his overall performance.
Smart City defeated league kings Enyimba 3-2, Rivers United battered
Akwa United 3-0, EFCC pipped Sunshine Stars 1-0 and Nasarawa United
were outscored by local rivals Aklosendi International FC.
Q/FINAL FIXTURES (FRIDAY)
Lobi Stars vs Rivers Utd
Niger Tornadoes vs Smart City
Bendel Insurance vs Calabar Rovers
Kano Pillars vs Aklosendi
