Tudun Wada wallops Palm Syrup 7-2 to clinch NLO Cup title, gets 18-passenger Coastal Bus

 

Tudun Wada FC emerged champions of the inaugural NLO Cup, sponsored by telecommunications giant MTN and FirstCentral Credit Bureau, after defeating Palm Syrup in a 9-goal thriller on Saturday.

The final match at the Bwari Stadium, Abuja was breath taking, full of suspense and exciting goals as Christmas came early for Tudun Wada FC, who made history in Nigeria's top grassroot football, becoming the first NLO side to win two inaugural tournaments - NLO Super Cup and NLO Cup, after putting seven (7) goals past Palm Syrup, who only managed to get two (2) goals.

After a string of brilliant play from both teams, and end-to-end football, Palm Syrup got the first goal in the 14th minute, after Christian Otu profited from a gift from a goalkeeping blunder from Tudun Wada goalkeeper Muwada Muhammad, to slice home the goal.

Three minutes after the opening goal, 

Rabiu Abdulahi missed a sitter to draw level for Tudun Wada. The equalizing goal then came in the 23rd, as Yusuf Mohammed drew level for the Kano-based team.

Palm Syrup retook the lead through Abraham David with a screaming strike, to make it 2-1 against Tudun Wada FC. 

Two minutes interval, Tudun Wada restored parity through Rabiu Abdulahi after a school boy defending on the part of Palm Syrup to make it 2-2.

Tudun Wada in the 38th minute took the lead from Palm Syrup, as Yusuf Mohammed was involved again after Rabiu dribbled past his makers, then set up Yusuf, who wasted no time to score his brace and handed his team a one goal cushion going into half time.

It was a one-sided second 45 minutes as Tudun Wada showed dominance, putting the icing on the cake in the 67th minute, with Rabiu Abdulahi grabbing his brace and his seventh goal in the NLO Cup.  

They still had time to score three more goals in the 77th and added time via the duo of Ashiru Ibrahim and Mubarak Sani who got a brace.

For their brilliance winning the championship unbeaten, Tudun Wada FC went home with a 18 Seater Coastal Bus, runner-up Palm Syrup FC was awarded the sum of One Million naira (#1m) while third-placed Green Lock gets Five Hundred Thousand naira (500,000) courtesy of sponsors MTN.

Palm Syrup aiming to beat Tudun Wada to NLO Cup title

The wait is over, as it has finally come down to the epic day of the NLO Cup, sponsored by telecommunications giant MTN and FirstCentral Credit Bureau, as an impressive Palm Syrup will aim to spoil Tudun Wada's party at the Bwari Stadium, Abuja.

Before Saturday's grand finale, the nation's third-tier league will be having its Congress, where the roadmap to the new season will be discussed by the NLO Board and clubs.

Sixteen (16) best grassroot teams were selected to showcase the beautiful brand of NLO football, as they dared to dream of lifting the trophy at the end of the tourney, when the group stage began from November 24th to December 9 at two centres, the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano and Uyo Township Stadium, Uyo.

Only Tudun Wada FC, who were winners of the inaugural NLO Super Cup at the Uboma Secondary School Stadium Complex, Imo State and Palm Syrup are left standing ahead of this weekend’s final. 

The path to the final for both clubs: 

This game brings together a clash of styles, though it is going to be a familiar territory for Tudun Wada FC, as they go into the final as the overwhelming favourite.

They are yet to lose a single game, and were very clinical in front of goal, scoring nine (9) and defensively conceding three (3).

Tudun Wada had a slow start to their campaign in lone goal wins against 

Barau/Murtala and Like Minds FC, but fired the burner beating FC  Zeal Minds FC 4-2 to set-up a semi-final clash against Green Lock, whom they dispatched 3-1.

For Palm Syrup, they shouldn’t be taken lightly, as they are though and with a good mental strength. No easy for a team that lost it's final group game to RORO FC to go past Kun Kalifah FC 6-5 in a nail biting penalty shootout in the semi-final.

They were not a too scoring side but they pulled surprises having the job done at the Uyo Centre. Palm Syrup edged both Krane FC and Jaguar FC 2-0 lost to RORO FC a lone goal, to go top of Group 2 (B) and set-up a titanic clash with free flowing and scoring Kun Khalifa.

After a tough 90minutes, both teams needed the lottery of penalties to book a ticket to Abuja. Palm Syrup turned the disadvantage to an advantage after missing their third spot kick, only for Kun Khalifa to miss their third and fourth kick, to win the thrilling 16 penalty kicks on 6-5, to zoom into the final.

Meanwhile, Tudun Wada FC are one game away from making history in Nigeria's top grassroot football. Should they win on Saturday, the Kano-based  team will become the first NLO side to win two inaugural tournaments - NLO Super Cup and NLO Cup.

For anxious fans of the Nationwide League One football brand, they can get to catch a glimpse of the third-place game, Kun Kalifah FC versus Green Lock and the final on the NLO TV App or on the NLO YouTube Channel, as both matches will be live streamed.

Group Stage

Krane FC 0-2 Palm Syrup

Palm Syrup FC 2-0 Jaguar FC

RORO FC 0-1 Palm Syrup

SEMI-FINAL

Palm Syrup 0-0 Kun Khalifa FC (6-5 on penalties)

Group Stage

Barau/Murtala 0-1 Tudun Wada

Tudun Wada FC 1-0 Like Minds FC

Tudun Wada FC 4-2 Zeal Minds FC

SEMI-FINAL

Tudun Wada 3-1 Green Lock

FINAL

Palm Syrup vs Tudun Wada

Tudun Wada books NLO Cup final duel with Palm Syrup

 

Tudun Wada FC will lock horns against Palm Syrup FC in the final of the NLO Cup sponsored by telecommunications giant MTN and FirstCentral Credit Bureau, after defeating Green Lock FC 3-1 in the second semi-final on Wednesday at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.

After a goalless 45 minutes, the deadlock was broken by Peter Michael after he gave Tudun Wada the lead from a well taken penalty in the 57th minute.

Tudun Wada then got a two-goal cushion on the one hour mark after Yusuf Mohammed fired home from a second penalty kick. 

Green Lock FC then started what could have been a comeback for them in the 62nd minute, after Philip Onyedika found Damilola Adeyeye in the box, who after some careless defending from Tudun Wada, scored to make it 2-1.

As the game got to the last five minutes, it was a little too late for Green Lock FC in the 88th minute, as Mubarak Sani put the icing on the cake with the third goal, to send Tudun Wada to the finale in Abuja.

It will be another final for Tudun Wada FC, who were winners of the inaugural NLO Super Cup at the Uboma Secondary School Stadium Complex, Imo State.

The Bwari Stadium, Abuja will host the final and third-place match after the NLO Secretariat directed that there would be a third place game. 

With this Kun Khalifa FC will battle Green Lock FC for the bronze medal in the 3rd-place game before the epic final on Saturday December 9, 2023.

Palm Syrup secures spot in NLO Cup final, as Green Lock, Tudun Wada set to clash in second semifinal

 

Palm Syrup FC are through to the final of the NLO Cup sponsored by telecommunications giant MTN and FirstCentral Credit Bureau via the lottery of penalties.

It was an interesting 90 minutes of quality football that kept fans at the Uyo Township Stadium on the edge of their seats, as it ended goalless.

The penalty shootout was a nail biting one, as both teams played a total of 16 spot kicks, eight each. Palm Syrup who were first to miss a penalty; the third to be precise, also missed their fourth kick, leaving Kun Khalifa FC to an advantage.

But Kun Khalifa FC would at the day rue their miss, as it ended up hunting them, as Palm Syrup went ahead to win the shootout 6-5.

Meanwhile, the final group matches in Kano, were concluded at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Tuesday, with Tudun Wada and Green Lock FC leaving the group unbeaten. 

Tudun Wada FC pummeled Zeal Minds FC 4-2 with Rabiu Abdullahi scoring all the four goals for his side, while Green Lock FC piped FC Sheika 3-2 to setup a mouth watering tie between themselves.

However, Palm Syrup FC who have booked a place in the final scheduled for Saturday December 9, at the Bwari Stadium- Abuja, will await the winner between Green Lock and Tudun Wada.

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.

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