Tudun Wada wins inaugural NLO/ Ikukuoma Super Cup

 

Tudun Wada FC were crowned champions of the inaugural Nationwide League One/ Ikukuoma Super Cup after they edged Ave FC 3-2 on penalties.

It was a spectacle to behold at the Uboma Secondary School Stadium Complex on Saturday, as both teams deserved their hands on the trophy, after the final game ended 1-1 in regulation time.

A minute after the half hour mark, Tudun Wada thought they had taken the lead from a sharp turn of pace by Yakubu Mohammed puts him in behind and did enough to fire his  shot towards goal from a tight angle, but his strike went for side netting. 

Ave FC goalkeeper Sebastine Chibuike was forced to make a reflex save in the 35th minute, as he stretched magnificently to save a shot from Rabiu Abdullahi. 

Rabiu Abdullahi was close to scoring the first goal of the game in the 48th minute but was denied by the woodwork, after he made the most of Shamsudeen Rabiu's magnificent through ball, rounds goalkeeper Chibuike but was unlucky to hit the upright with his effort.

The deadlock was broken four minutes to the one hour mark, as Salisu Idris put Tudun Wada up nodding home off a set piece. 

With 13 minutes to end the final, Adesokan Abdulmalik draw level for Ave FC from a penalty for 1-1. No further goal was scored as both teams then went into spot kicks to determine the winner of the contest.

It was Tudun Wada FC day as they converted three of the kicks while Ave FC lost three as well.

Former NFF Board Member, Emeka Inyama hails NLO on Super Cup

 

Former NNL Chairman and NFF Executive Committee Member, High Chief Emeka Inyama, has poured praises on the board of the Nationwide League One over the organization of the inagural NLO/ Ikukuoma Super Cup in Ihitte/Uboma.

The tournament hit its climax on Saturday with Tudun Wada and Ave FC set to spark fireworks at the final billed for the Uboma Secondary School Stadium complex. 

Inyama while urging the NLO to remain consistent in its drive to rebrand Nigeria's football foundation said.

"I'm impressed with what I've seen, watched good football, seen talented young players and off course a wonderful facility. The matches have been fantastic for the level of football. This is how it should be, as football in Nigeria has to be foundational.

"I want to give credit to the Nationwide League One (NLO) for a top notch organization of the the U19 Youth League Super Cup. It's also interesting that all the matches played have been live streamed for the world to see the quality of third-tier league.

"Big kudos to the NLO Board, Chief Operating Officer, Olushola Ogunnowo and every staff that have added one or two inputs to the successful hosting of the NLO/ Ikukuoma Super Cup in Ihitte/Uboma. I think from here, the NLO should take it to the next level as step-by-step, our football will be back."

The former Abia Warriors boss who drove from Umuahia-Abia State to Ihitte/Uboma in Imo State to watch one of the second round matches, was amazed at the level of things on ground.

"I've been on a short break away from football, and just returned to the country from abroad, so I learnt of the tournament and off course decided to hit the road to Ihitte/Uboma.

"Don't forget that am into grassroot football as I founded one of the best football school in the country, this is the next level for them. My trip here too will avail me the chance to also learn one or two things from here, as learning never ends as its a continuous thing. So am impressed.

"Consistently over the years, the Nationwide League One management have done well. They have always set standards and raising the stakes as far as football at this level is concern.

"I must commend Ogunnowo for the brilliant job he and his team have done for the NLO, as they have made it the third-tier league a top football brand that Nigerians want to affiliate with. I just have one word for them, as that's, they shouldn't rest on their oars, as a lot is still expected."

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.

NLO/ Ikukuoma Super Cup 2nd Round: Decisive fixtures holds on Thursday

 

NLO/ Ikukuoma Super Cup 2nd Round: Decisive fixtures holds on Thursday

The finalists for the inaugural Nationwide League One/ Ikukuoma Super Cup would emerge on Thursday, with two decisive fixtures billed to hold at the Uboma Secondary School Stadium complex. 

With the completion of Matchday 2 fixtures in the second Round, four teams have picked 3points each, with Campos JNR and Dohz Academy exiting the tournament.

The quartet of Tudun Wada, Ikukuoma FC, Ave FC and Divine Praise are the teams that have secured maximum points after Matchday 2.

In their quest for a ticket in the grand finale, Tudun Wada will lock horns against home team Ikukuoma FC in a Group B tie fixed for 10am. Two hours later, another Uboma based team Ave FC will be seeking to go past Divine Praise FC in another interesting Group A fixture.

Meanwhile, and early on Tuesday, Campos JNR FC and Dohz Academy were bundled out of the tourney after losing 4-2 and 3-1 respectively to Divine Praise and Ikukuoma FC.

It took eight minute for Divine Praise to break the defence line of Campos JNR FC, with a strike from Ignatius Chilem. They were ahead again three minutes later courtesy a goal from Ella Christopher. 

Nwaobisa Onyebuchi puts the game beyond Campos JNR FC with the third goal in the 25th minute, after he dribbled past his makers, then put the ball beyond the goalkeeper.

Campos JNR FC started what could have been a comeback, after Simon Udoka pull one back from a goal-mouth scramble. It became 3-2 a minute after the one hour mark, as Okone Nonso scored an own goal off a left side corner.

It should have been 3-3 for Campos JNR FC in 75th minute but Divine Praise had goalkeeper Chimezie Anthony to thank after he made an outstanding save to deny Emeka Okoro from point blank. It was however little too late for Campos JNR, as Nwaobisa Onyebuchi sealed the game in the 80th minute for 4-2.

The brace hero Nkwo Martins and Ibe George displayed class for Ikukuoma FC, as they came from to cancel out Adesina Quduss 4th minute goal for Dohz Academy, to wrap up the game 3-1.

WEDNESDAY FIXTURES

Ave FC vs Divine Praise - Group A - 12noon

Tudun Wada FC vs Ikukuoma FC - Group B - 10am

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

NLO/ Ikukuoma Super Cup second round come alive with thrilling fixtures

 

The inaugural Nationwide League One/Ikukuoma Foundation Super Cup enters its climax on Tuesday with six (6) blockbuster fixtures in the second round at the Uboma Secondary School Stadium complex, Ihitte/Uboma LGA.

Campos City FC, Ave FC, Divine Praise, Dohz Academy, Tudun Wada and Ikukuoma FC are the teams that made it to the next phase of the tournament.

The teams have been paired to two (2) Groups A and B with three (3) each in both. Campos City FC, Ave FC and Divine Praise make up Group A while Group B has Dohz Academy, Tudun Wada and home team Ikukuoma FC will be keeping fans at the edge of their seats in the next three days.

A Group B fixture between Dohz Academy and Tudun Wada on Tuesday by 8am at the Uboma Secondary School Stadium complex, will set the pace for the two (2) teams that will star in the grand finale. Up next is a 10am tie between Campos City FC and Ave FC.

Campos City FC will play its final game as they tackle Divine Praise on Wednesday in an 8am fixture, same goes for Dohz Academy who lock horns against Ikukuoma FC at 10am.

Thursday, 14th of September will witness the conclusion of second round encounters with Tudun Wada taking on Ikukuoma FC at 8am while it will be the turn of Ave FC versus Divine Praise two hours later.

The teams will play two group matches each, while two teams one (1) each from the two groups with the highest number of points and goals/ goals difference automatically qualify for the Saturday final.

*Group A* 

Campos City FC vs Ave FC  - Tuesday 12/9/23 - 10am

Divine Praise vs Campos City FC -Wednesday 13/9/23 - 8am

Ave FC vs Divine Praise -Thursday 14/9/23 - 10am

*Group B* 

Dohz Academy vs Tudun Wada -Tuesday 12/9/23 - 8am

Ikukuoma FC vs Dohz Academy -Wednesday 13/9/23 - 10am

Tudun Wada vs Ikukuoma FC -Thursday 14/9/23 - 8am

NLO/Ikukuoma Super Cup: Matchday One records three wins, as Davidson gets First Hat-Trick

The Nationwide League One/Ikukuoma Super Cup lived up to the hype on MatchDay 1, as the four fixtures recorded three victories and a draw, with 16 goals scored while Kemfon Davidson displayed a five-star performance for Palm Syrup after he bagged a hat-trick.

The star game and a derby between two Imo State teams, Summer FC and Ave FC ended in a 3-3 stalemate but Ave FC will rue their poor defending, after finishing the first half 2-0.

Fans at the Uboma Secondary School Stadium Complex were left on the edge of their seats from the 1st minute to the end of the game.

The first real chance came in the 18th minute after goalkeeper Sebastine Chibuike of Ave FC made a magnificent save to deny Unaegbu Osinachi low drive set piece.

Ave FC then went ahead in the 25th minute as Ledee Victor chipped the ball into the net from a terrific assist from Alwell Jones. Forty minutes later, they were two goals up via a strike from enterprising  left back Adesokan Abdulmalik.

Nine minutes into the second half, the comeback started for Summer FC after Andrew Joshua found the back of Ave FC's goal.

Summer FC's joy was later cut short in the 59th minute as Adesokan Abdulmalik got his brace with a well-converted spot kick to make it 1-3 for Ave FC.

A brilliant display within four minutes saw Summer FC earning a point from the game, as in the 70th minute, Ebuka Duru, made the most from a defensive blunder to fire home past Ave goalie Sebastine Chibuike for 2-3.

While Osinachi Unaegbu completed the comeback with a 74th-minute strike from a delightful free kick from the edge of the box.

It was a five-goal thriller in the opening game of the NLO/Ikukuoma Super Cup at the Uboma Secondary School Stadium Complex, in Ihitte/Uboma LGA, as Palm Syrup beat Paul E FC 3-2.

Kemfon Davidson opened the tournament goal feast with the first strike for Palm Syrup in the 17th minute, and a quarter of an hour later, he curled home a delightful free kick from the edge of the box to double lead and net his brace.

It was a respite for Paul E in the 40th minute after Moses Ezekiel struck home to make it 2-1 heading into the break.

Davidson proved difficult to contain by the defense line of Paul E, as two minutes into the second half, the lanky attacking midfielder blasted in a delightful set piece for his hat-trick and a two-goal cushion for Palm Syrup at 3-1.

It was a little too late for Paul E to get back into the game as they got a penalty in the 90th minute which  Swande Mathew converted with a powerful drive that flashed past Palm Syrup's goalkeeper in goal.

The other games ended JSC FC 1-2 Jaguar FC, while Ikukuoma FC put two goals past Giant Brillars. The action continues on MatchDay 2 with eye-catching fixtures.

*MATCHDAY ONE RESULTS* 

Palm Syrup FC 3-2 Paul E FC

JSC FC 1-2 Jaguar FC

Ikukuoma FC 2-0 Giant Brillars

Summer FC 3-3 Ave FC

Summer FC duels with Ave FC to get inaugural NLO/Ikukuoma Super Cup underway

 

It will be football glitz and glamour in Uboma, Imo State as the inaugural Nationwide League One NLO/Ikukuoma Super Cup kicks off on Wednesday September 6 with an opening fixture between Summer FC and Ave FC.

The NLO secretariat, who last week listed 18 teams, which included two wild cards, released the groupings, match fixtures, timing, and venues that will host the 10-day tournament.

The Uboma Secondary School Stadium Complex, in Ihitte/Uboma LGA, Imo State will host matches of the NLO Super League.

Six (6) groups A to F, have three teams each; as they will battle for pride in the group phase, for a winner from each group to qualify for the Second Round after 18 matches.

The top teams from the six (6) groups will square up against themselves in a Group A and Group B format made up of three (3) teams each, with only the two (2) best teams qualifying for the final of the NLO/Ikukuoma Super Cup billed for Saturday, September 16.

Teams drawn in Group A are Ihitte Uboma-based Summer FC, Ave FC, and Golden Albium FC (Delta State). Group B has Buratai FC (Yobe State), Palm Syrup FC (Akwa-Ibom State), and Paul E FC (FCT), while JSC FC Suleja (Niger State), Divine Praise FC (Lagos State) and Kofar Soro FC from Katsina State make up Group C

Ikukuoma FC (Imo State), Ablegod FC (Ondo State) with Kano-based Hausawa United FC are in Group D, followed by Tudun Wada FC (Kano State), Zeal Minds FC (Benue State) and Vandrezzer  Academy (Akwa Ibom State) in Group E.

The trio of DOHZ FA (Kwara State), Discovery Academy (Kebbi State), and FC Ebedei JNR will slug things out in Group F.

Chief Operating Officer of the nation's third-tier league, Olushola Ogunnowo who spoke ahead of the kickoff.

"We know that Nigerians are passionate about football, so we want to make our grassroot football irresistibly appealing to them and the rest of the World.

“All is still in top gear for the inaugural NLO/Ikukuoma Super Cup without hitches in terms of the logistics we have put in place,” said the NLO’s COO Olushola Ogunnowo.

The tournament which will be keenly contested will see invited foreign scouts, and eight Sporting Directors from different leagues across the world in attendance.

However, the NLO broadcasting department will be live-streaming all matches from the championship for fans all over the world to see.