By Wale Mustapha
Godwin Obaje's 85 minutes' goal was not enough for defending champions, FC IfeanyiUbah as Niger Tornadoes bundled them out of 2017 Aiteo Cup 4-3 on aggregate.
The Anambra Warriors came into second leg of semifinals decided in Nnewi on Thursday with 2-4 first leg loss in Lokoja and would need two clear goals to book the final ticket and stand a chance to defend their title.
But the Minna based club came into the match with positives and confidence to finish the job they started in Lokoja as they attacked their hosts with purpose and almost get ahead in the 28th minutes but Sanni Rabiu had his effort cleared on the line by Stephen Eze.
Sunday Akinmoladun and Andrew Ikefe kept out all what IfeanyiUbah threw at them on different occasions and captain Mustapha Aliko complimented with his heroics saves.
Isaac Baadu could have given hosts the lead in the 12 minutes from set pieces but Aliko parried to corner.
Reuben Ogbonnaya was allowed space closed to IfeanyiUbah's goal in the 15 minutes and his thunderous shot was gathered twice by Uche Okafor.
It became an end to end stuffs as both sides tried to open the score sheet.
Peter Momoh's chance was gathered twice by under-pressure Okafor and Mohammed Suleiman headed wide from Isaac Loute's cross.
Tornadoes' best moment to score arrived in 28 minutes when Babawo stole the ball from Eze's leg, raced down before rounding Okafor and passed to Sanni Rabiu who was surprised to see Eze tracked back to clear on the line.
FC IfeanyiUbah became tensed and allowed anxiety to get on them as they couldn't keep possession which allowed Tornadoes kept the clean sheet at half time.
The hosts tried to rush for the opening goal on resumption but Akinmoladun was rock solid in Tornadoes' defense as he was clearing the pieces for the Ikon Allah Boys.
There were no signs that Abubakar Bala was missing on the touchline for Tornadoes as he was suspended for the game in Nnewi but his lieutenants stood in well with timely instructions and changes to still keep out the hosts from finding a way through.
Bright Onyedikachi came on for Patrick Ikeokwu to add bites to IfeanyiUbah's attack and the mesmerizing schemer almost tear Tornadoes defense apart with his piercing passes but the likes of Godwin Obaje, King Osanga and Felix Osia couldn't convert for the hosts.
The hosts thought they have get a goal in the 75 minutes when Isaac Baadu headed in Isaac Loute's delivery but was flagged offside as he was miles off with four other players in white jerseys.
But the hosts would have a chance to get a lifeline after Lukas Yahaya fouled Solomon Nsude in the box and Godwin Obaje converted from the spot with five minutes to end the game.
Osanga wasted a good opportunity for FC IfeanyiUbah to turn the tide but flashed wide from Isaac Loute's pass.
Stand in coach of Niger Tornadoes, Christopher Bernard who was excited for his side's passage to the final praised the players to for their spirited efforts.
He said Tornadoes made good use of their host's deficiencies just as he promised that the Ikon Allah Boys would put more effort to lift the trophy they last won since 2000.
"Its a big achievement for us getting to the final, we gave all for this match and took advantage of FCIU mistakes which is rushing to play and we are grateful our approach worked for us.
"We will continue to remain focused and add more effort and commitment to win the final, we call on our fans to keep supporting and praying for us to complete the task with a trophy," Bernard said.
Captain of the Minna based side, Mustapha Aliko was overjoyed as he guided his team to their first major final after 17 years absence and expressed confident that Tornadoes would be mentally ready to take on either of Sunshine Stars or Akwa United in the the final.
"I'm short of words to described this game, its a happiest moment in my life, wow! Fantastic, the boys were marvelous and we thank God for that, FCIU is one of the best clubs in Nigeria and as defending champions, beating them now is a morale booster for us, we will go to Lagos with more focus and with more confident to face whoever we meet (Sunshine Stars or Akwa United) in the final," he said.
Tornadoes will have to wait till Monday to know who they will face at the Agege Stadium as Sunshine Stars will take on Akwa United in the second leg of the second semifinal in Uyo.
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