
Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin yesterday defeated Rivers United
of Porthacout 1 nil at the ongoing governor Okowa pre-season
tournament to book a final date with Lobi stars of Makurdi.
A third minute header from Ufere Chinedu made the difference for the
Harmony Boys.
Earlier, Ilorin outfit advanced to next round of the tourney after
claiming a 2-1 win over 10-man Lobi Stars in one of the games played
Tuesday afternoon at the Stephen Keshi Stadium.
Austin Ogunye fired Lobi Stars in front before Thomas Adesina levelled
matters for Kwara United from the penalty spot.
Substitute Ebenezer Odeyemi scored the winning goal of the game at
injury time as the Harmony Boys marched on to the semis.
However, Lobi Stars will again log it out with Kwara United in the
final of the tournaments.
The Pride of Benue beat Niger Tornadoes 4-1 on penalties after full
time scores was 1-1 while the Abdullahi Usman Biffo tutored lads
shocked Rivers United 1-0.
Tornadoes opened the scoring in Asaba thanks to a huge slice of
fortune. Musa Wakili picked his spot and curled the ball beyond
goalkeeper John Lawrence.
Lobi Stars came from behind to cancel Tornadoes’ lead as Abdulkareem
Mumini poked home the ball after goalkeeper Lucky Jimoh spilled Ernest
Governor’s deadly free kick to his path.
The shootouts didn’t favour Tornadoes as the duo of Afeez Nosiru and
Ayodele Joseph saw their efforts hit the bar.
Alex Aghahowa, Earnest Governor, Douglas Achiv and Tayo Adebogun all
scored for Lobi Stars.
In the other semi-final game, Kwara United displayed a professional
approach to pip hard fighting Rivers United 1-0.
The final will be held on today at the main bowl of the Stephen Keshi
Stadium, Asaba.