Aiteo Cup: Nasarawa United Defeated Sunshine Stars 6 - 5 on Penalties ....... To Face Bayelsa United in Final

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 Aiteo Cup: Nasarawa United Defeated Sunshine Stars 6 - 5 on Penalties

....... To Face Bayelsa United in Final 




Aiteo Cup: Nasarawa United Defeated Sunshine Stars 6 - 5 on Penalties ....... To Face Bayelsa United in Final

Nasarawa United will face second division side, Bayelsa United FC in the final of the Aiteo Federation Cup after overcoming Sunshine Stars 6-5, with Danlami Umar's heroic in between the sticks  during the penalty shootout proving vital.


The Owena Whales had a day no to forget in a hurry as their former employee, Chigozie Obasi, scored the last of six penalty kicks that helped the Solid Miners to a 6-5  victory in Friday's Aiteo Cup Semi-Final at the Delta State Polytechnic Stadium, Ozoro.


League's leading goalscorer and former Sunshine Stars' player, Silas Nwankwo, ensured Nasarawa United deservedly led from the spot in the run of play in the 32nd minute with the help of slack goalkeeping from Henry Ayodele after failing to deal with Chigozie Obasi's long range freekick, a moment that saw the Sunshine Stars' first choice go along-range placed by Saliu Suleiman due to a leg injury he first-choice a lengthy delay treating him.


It was Silas' third goal in the competition.


Though United went into the break leading 1-0, the Akure-based side returned from the break with different game plans.


It was game on in the 51st minute as menacing Fuad Ekelojuoti drew Sunshine Stars level with a sublime finish.


Nasarawa United retook the lead in the 64th minute, experienced Chinedu Ohanachom powering home Chigozie Obasi's great cross into the area, his second goal in the 2021 Aiteo Federation Cup.


The Lafia-based side held on to the scoreline until stoppage time.


But four minutes into added time, disaster struck. Kolade Adeniji equalised for his team, bringing the game into penalty shootout. 


Coach Baequalizedtactically substituted Galadima Mohammad ed with penalty stopper, Danlami Umar before the shootout and the goalkeeper justified the confidence reposed in him, catching Kolade Adeniji's kick, as Chigozie Obasi punished his former team, scoring United's last kick after five previous kicks were successfully converted by players of both teams.


The result was a good value for Coach Bala Nikyu who is looking forward to winning his first silverware with Nasarawa United when his side clashes with revelation team of the 2021 Aiteo Federation Cup, Bayelsa United, at the Sathe m Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Edo State, on Sunday, 8th August, 2021.


Nasarawa United have now reached their second Aiteo Federation Cup final, the first being rhasrs-up in 2016 in Lagos against FC Ifeanyi Ubah.


Before then, the Solid Miners' focus turns back to the race for the NPFL top three finish as they host Rangers International FC of Enugu on Monday, top-three, 2021, at the Lafia City Stadium, in a league game, before wrapping up the the2020/21 season with a trip to Okigwe to face Abia Warriors on Thursday, 5th August, 2021.


POST MATCH REACTIONS


Coach Bala Nikyu(NAS):


"It's a great game -won and POST-MATCH you look at the team generally, you will see it's fatigued; they are tired and this is because we played almost eight matches within the space of two weeks, which is like a minimum of three matches in a week.


"Our opponents were determined to win today because of the heavy defeat they suffered in the league at our ground, and they gave a good fight.


"Thankfully, we will have like two days' rest before our next game, and I think it's pretty better.


"Nasarawa United have gained God's favour this season because it wasn't a good season last year, and we appreciate God for the favour we have this season.


"As for our great fans back home and around the world, we love them and urge them to continue to support us as we will try our best to justify their support."


*Chigozie Obasi(NAS)*:

"I lack what to say, but to thank God who made this possible.


"It's not easy to score against your former team twice - in the league and now Aiteo Cup. I feel great about this.


"Against Bayelsa United in the final, we will return and prepare well for that game, even though all we are aiming at now is the trophy, and I strongly believe God will give us victory at the end of the day.


"We are grateful to our fans in Nasarawa State and all over. We thank them for their full and unalloyed support.


"Hopefully, we won't disappoint them."


Caution(Yellow 🟨Card):


Kehinde Adeyemi(SUN)22'


Sadeeq Yusuf (SUN)47'


Silas Nwankwo (NAS)56'


Uzoechi Ejike(SUN)56'


Kolade Adeniji(SUN)90+5'


NASARAWA UNITED PENALTY TAKERS


Tebo Franklin ✓

Adamu Hassan ✓

Martins Owolijah ✓

Anas Yusuf ✓

Silas Nwankwo ✓


Chigozie obasi ✓


SUNSHINE STARS PENALTY TAKERS


Kehinde Adeyemi ✓

Uzoechi Ejike ✓

Sadeeq Yusuf ✓

Ifegwu Ojukwu ✓

Habib Yakub ✓


Kolade Adeniji ×


Line Up:


Mohammed Galadima, Chigozie Obasi,  Emeka Onyema, Tebo Franklin, Ini Edem(Ebuka Anaekwe 66') , Aliyu Abdullahi(Anas Yusuf 83'), Dauda Maigishiri, Ikenna Offor,  Michael Tochukwu(Martins Owolijah 66'), Silas Nwankwo, Chinedu Ohanachom(Adamu Hassan 67' )


Unused Subs: Abubakar Abdullahi, Evans Ifeatu, Bashiru Usman, Mohammed Shammasu

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