It was contrasting fortunes for the defending Champions in Men and Women’s competitions of Nigeria’s Oldest Club Football Cup tournament, AITEO Cup on Saturday.
While champions in the women’s category Rivers Angels came from two goals down to earn a creditable 2-2 draw at Bayelsa Queens, their men counterparts FC Ifeanyiubah blew a two goal advantage to go down 4-2 at Niger Tornadoes.
In the only women’s semi final game decided on Saturday, last season’s beaten finalists Bayelsa Queens raced to a 2-goal first half lead through goals from Macleans Okogba and Ayomide Anibaba.
The reigning champions however fought back in the second period, scoring through Chioma Wogu and defender Ifeoma Ikenokwalu’s stoppage time penalty. Queens goalkeeper Alaba Jonathan was sent off during the protest on the spot kick decision.
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Men’s tournament
Nigeria Professional Football League side Niger Tornadoes pulled off a remarkable turnaround to beat cup Kings FC Ifeanyiubah 4-2 in Lokoja.
The Anambra Warriors took an early lead courtesy of Godwin Obaje on eight minutes before King Osanga doubled their advantage early in the second half.
The hosts who surprisingly eliminated league champions Plateau United in the last round fought back gallantly, scoring twice in the space of two minutes through Sani Mohammed and Ibrahim Babawo to bring the game level.
Babawo completed his brace eighteen minutes from time before Peter Momoh made sure of victory late on.
In the other semi-final first leg tie on Saturday, Sunshine Stars edged out favourites Akwa United 1-0 in Ijebu-Ode. Team’s top scorer Ajibola Otegbeye scored the game’s only goal in the first half as the Owena Waves take a slender advantage to the return leg.
Super Eagles midfielder Ifeanyi Ifeanyi came close to leveling scores for his side in the second half but his effort came off the cross bar.
