Nigeria National League side Beyond Limits stun topflight side Rivers United 2-1 in one of the President Federation Cup round of 32 games decided on Wednesday, www.aclsports.com reports.
The second division side defeated the Pride of Rivers under wet conditions at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin to reach the last 16.
Rising goalscoring sensation Merveille Akinocho, fresh from hitting a brace in the TCC Cup final on Saturday, scored a brace to hand Olumide Ajibolade’s young side a two-goal lead before an own-goal from Abass Olasunkanmi gave Rivers United a lifeline. However, Beyond Limits held on to reach last 16 for the first time.
In other games played on Wednesday, Kwara United edged Gombe United 1-0. Midfielder Shola Abdulraheem scored the game’s only goal in the second half. Similarly, Christian Nnaji’s solitary strike sent Enyimba through at the expense of Elkanemi Warriors – the defending champions of the competition.
In Ijebu Ode, NPFL side Ikorodu City came from a goal down to beat Crown FC. Waliu Ojetoye, Yusuf Salau and Ayomide Cole scored in the comeback win for the Lagosians. In the battle of Nigeria Premier Football League teams, Plateau United beat Sunshine Stars 1-0. Former Sunshine Stars winger Vincent Temitope scored the winning goal in the 21st minute.
2017 winners Akwa United eased past Mighty Jet Feeders 2-0 in Anyigba. Osoba Kabir and Stephen Edidiong with the goals for the Promise Keepers. In Aba, Lobi Stars lost 2-1 to Solution FC, while another topflight side Katsina United lost 3-2 on penalties to Abakaliki FC after it ended goalless in regulation time.
Meanwhile, former champions Bayelsa United defeated FC Basira 2-0 in Kaduna to march on. Nasarawa United thumped Ijele FC 5-0 with the goals coming from Chidera Nduka, Ugochukwu Leonard, Peter Eneji, and Qamar Adegoke (brace) in the one-sided affair.
In one of the biggest games of the round – Rangers v Heartland in Awka – the current NPFL champions won on 5-3 penalties to reach the next round. Isaac Saviour equalized immediately for Rangers after Heartland went in front through Isaac Nassy before going ahead to win the shootout.
Former Shooting Stars striker Kayode Oke scored a hat-trick to help Bendel Insurance stroll past Adamawa United in Lafia. Second division side Osun UUnited also progressed at the expense of non-league side E-World on penalties after it finished 1-1 in regulation time.
Meanwhile, Inter Lagos will face Jnr Danburn in the final game of the round on Thursday, while Warri Wolves were the first team to reach the next round, following Shooting Stars’ disqualification.
Round of 32 Results
Elkanemi Warriors 0-1 Enyimba
Abakaliki (3) 0-0 (2) Katsina United
Nasarawa United 5-0 Ijele FC
Bayelsa United 2-0 FC Basira
Warri Wolves v Shooting Stars (Shooting Stars disqualified)
Wikki Tourists 1-0 Rovers FC
Ikorodu City 3-1 Crown FC
Beyond Limits 2-1 Rivers United
Mighty Jets Feeders 0-2 Akwa United
Lobi Stars 1-2 Solution
Kwara United 1-0 Gombe United
Sunshine Stars 0-1 Plateau United
Osun United (4) 1-1 (2) E-World
Bendel Insurance 3-0 Adamawa United
Heartland (3) 1-1 (5) Rangers International
Thursday
Inter Lagos v Jnr Danburam (Ayingba, Kogi State)
