Tudun Wada battles Ave FC in NLO/Ikukuoma Super Cup final

 

Tudun Wada and Ave FC are set to spark fireworks at the Uboma Secondary School Stadium Complex on Saturday September 16, after both teams qualified for the final of the inaugural Nationwide League One/ Ikukuoma Super Cup.

With the exit of Campos JNR FC and Dohz Academy from the tourney after losing 4-2 and 3-1 respectively to Divine Praise and Ikukuoma FC on Matchday 2 of the second round group matches, the quest for a ticket to play in the grand finale, was down to results from the Matchday 3 fixtures.

Tudun Wada locked horns against Ikukuoma FC in a Group B tie, while Uboma based team Ave FC battled Divine Praise FC in an interesting Group A fixture. At the end of both matches, it was Tudun Wada and Ave FC that sealed their passage to Saturday's epic final.

With a quarter of an hour into the first game of Matchday 3, Ikukuoma FC could have taken the lead but goalkeeper Muwadda Mohammed stood his ground to keep a clean sheet after he did well to deny Ukaegbu Chima from the spot kick.

Ikukuoma FC finally broke the deadlock for 0-1 in the 19th minute, but this time around; Chidozie Samuel was clever with his effort from the spot. The home team, then took the lead to the dressing room.

Tudun Wada, came out strongly in the second half and after five minutes, their effort paid off as Emmanuel Haris drew level making the most from a scramble after a school boy defending from Ikukuoma FC.

Ikukuoma FC who needed a win to qualify to the final, were left to rue their misses and poor defending as the game finished 1-1, thus leaving both teams levelled on 4points each but Tudun Wada had the edge with superior 3 goals difference as against 2 goals for Ikukuoma FC.

For Ave FC who needed just a point to qualify, gave themselves a boost as they defeated Divine Praise FC 2-0 with two quick goals scored by Alwell Jones within four minutes in the first half.

Alwell Jones put Ave FC in front in the 22nd minute after making the most of an assist from his teammate with a powerful header. He then completed his brace with another superb strike with his head in the 26th minute to send the Uboma fans into wide jubilation.

Tudun Wada, Ave FC record big wins as NLO/Ikukuoma Super Cup second round come alive

 

It was a feast of goals in the Nationwide League One/ Ikukuoma Super Cup second Round as the two fixtures involving Dohz Academy versus Tudun Wada FC and Campos JNR versus Ave FC recorded two wins and 10 goals with five goals each in both matches.

After two days of rest, action resumed at the Uboma Secondary School Stadium complex and it was Yusuf Mohammed that set the tone of the game when he found the back of the net in the 25th for Tudun Wada against Dohz Academy.

In two minutes interval, Amuda Babatunde cool finish brought the game level at 1-1 for both teams. On the half hour mark, Tudun Wada went ahead again through Abdullahi Rabiu's spot kick to make it 1-2.

It was stopping for Tudun Wada, as they got a two-goal cushion in the 33rd minute of a goal off Shamsudeen Rabiu for 3-1 against Dohz Academy.

Aminu Mohammed then put the icing on the cake for Tudun Wada in the 78th minute for their 4th goal and first 3points, when he curled home a delightful free kick from the edge of the box beyond the reach of Dohz Academy goalkeeper.

The second game was as entertaining as the first as Ave FC came from behind to do the damage against Campos JNR FC, winning 2-3 at full time.

It was a game of two interesting halves as it took Campos JNR 22 minutes to opening the scoring courtsey a strike via Njoku Chukwuemeka. The team then kept things decent going into the changing room with the one goal lead.

 

With 11 minute into the second half, Emeka Okoro fired home to double lead for Campos JNR FC. Things turned soar for Campos JNR in the 63rd minute after Awulomu Chidiebube scored an own goal off a set piece for 2-1. 

Four minutes later, Ave FC got themselves back into the game as Onyeahiolan Chimdindu drew level for the Uboma side with a delicious half volley for 2-2 to the delight of fans.

Campos JNR defenders then had themselves to blame, after Alwell Jones found himself in space to nod home in confident fashion for a third goal for Ave FC and winner in the 70th minute.

Action resumes on Wednesday for another interesting fixtures in the second round.

WEDNESDAY FIXTURES

Divine Praise FC vs Campos JNR FC - 10am

Ikukuoma FC vs Dohz Academy - 12noon