Goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi saved three spot kicks as defending champions Rivers Angels defeated neighbours Ibom Angels 3-0 on penalties to win the AITEO Cup in Jos on Wednesday.
Both teams fought out a 1-1 draw in regulation time and just like the men’s final on Sunday, the lottery of penalties was required to decide who wins the competition for the first time under new sponsor, AITEO.
After a goalless first half, Edwin Okon’s Rivers Angels went in front just four minutes after the interval courtesy of attacker Cynthia Aku who headed home Chioma Wogu’s incisive cross.
The euphoria which trailed Rivers’ goal had hardly died down before their opponents – coached by a former assistant to Okon at Rivers Angels, Whyte Ogbonda – brought the game back to level terms.
It was through another header by Glory Ogbonna on 53 minutes, shortly after Ogbonda had introduced pacy winger Uduakobong Peter.
There were no further goals in the contest as both sides cancelled each other out in a rather tentative and stop-start contest.
In the shootout, Rivers Angels who eliminated Edo Queens via penalties at the quarter final stage once again showed their mastery of the shootout.
Gladys Akpa, Cecilia Nku and Evelyn Nwabuoku all converted for Rivers while Super Falcons goalkeeper Oluehi saved three of Ibom Angels’ kicks, the fourth fired wide.
The Jewel of Rivers by their success romped to a seventh Cup title in eight years and make amends after their failure to successfully defend their league title.
Ibom Angels’ striker Charity Reuben who missed their first penalty was named as tournament’s Most Valuable Player, with Oluehi named the best goalkeeper.
Winners Rivers Angels earned ten million naira for winning the first edition of the tournament organized by AITEO.
