Favourites Akwa United overcame a second half scare to beat Sunshine Stars 3-1 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate to reach a second Cup final in three years.
Cyril Olisema broke the visitors’ resistance on 36 minutes when he neatly finished Christian Pyagbara’s chest-down from the edge of the box.
United doubled their lead in rather fortuitous circumstances on the hour mark when Pyagbara bungled Ifeanyi Ifeanyi’s free kick just over the goal line.
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The hosts continued to dominate but their visitors twice came close to scoring vital away goals. Top scorer Ajibola Otegbeye rattled the crossbar in the first half before Akwa goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo produced a superb save to deny substitute Ezekiel Thompson eighteen minutes from time.
It was another substitute Franklin Sasere who scored the all-important away goal on 85 minutes, finishing off a sweet move started by Boboye Ezekiel.
Their joy was however shortlived two minutes later as Ifeanyi Ifeanyi rifled home from just inside of the box after Sunshine defenders failed to deal with Chigozie Chilekwu’s long throw.
United, winners in 2015 thus progress to the final billed for next Sunday at the Agege Stadium in Lagos.
