Amos Okoro put in a man of the match performance as Abia Warriors came from behind to beat Kano Pillars 2-1 in a Group C Aiteo Cup round of 16 match at the Agege stadium.
Emmanuel Deutcsh’s team bounced back from their 5-1 humiliation to Kwara United on Monday to revive their Cup dream with Okoro playing a key role.
The wide forward came off the bench to inspire his side, as he won the penalty that was comfortably converted by team mate, Emeka Isaac.
Junior Lokosa scored his second goal of the round to give Pillars a 1-0 lead at the break before Jimoh Oni equalised for the Warriors with a thumbing header off a corner just after the hour mark.
Abia Warriors completed the comeback when Isaac converted a late penalty for the Umuahia side, following a wonderful play by second half substitute, Okoro, to seal all three points for the Harmony Warriors.
In the other Group C match, leaders, Kwara United, extended their lead courtesy of a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Rivers United in the second match of the day.
It was a game of few chances, the teams failed to really test the goalkeepers especially in the first half, which ended with nothing to separate them.
However, after the break, the deceive moment of the game arrived when Segun Alebiosu set up strike partner Shamsudeen Ashimu, three minutes after the hour mark.
Through on goal, Ashimu made no mistake from inside the box, letting fly a left footed shot that sailed into the Rivers United net to put his side 1-0 ahead.
Despite the Pride of Rivers piling on the pressure in search of the equaliser, which remained elusive, Kwara United held on for their second win.
The results mean the Harmony Warriors strengthen their position at the top with six points, three ahead of second placed Kano Pillars and Abia Warriors in third.
While River United, who are rock bottom with zero points, after losing their two games played so far, have now crashed out.
Next up for the teams, the Pride of Rivers face Abia Warriors while Kwara United and Pillars battle in the other encounter on Friday.
