Ikukuoma FC showed sheer fighting spirit and good courage to stage a dramatic comeback and outclass Dohz Academy 3-1 at the Uboma Secondary School Stadium Complex, Ihitte Uboma, Imo State on Wednesday at the ongoing NLO/Ikukuoma Super Cup.
The Mbaise Blues were on the back foot as early as the fourth minute after Dohz Academy’s Adesina Qudus scored a stunning fourth minute goal but the High Chief Summers Nwokie supported side never waiver and hence the legendary comeback.
Barely seven minutes after Dohz Academy’s opening goal Nkwo Martins struck to put Ikukuoma FC on level terms but there was no further goals in the first half again as both teams went into halftime with a goal apiece.
In the second half, Ikukuoma FC upped their game and went into the lead for the first time in the game through Ibeh George’s strike in the 53rd minute.
The Mbaise Blues increased the tally in the 58th through Martins who completed his brace with another sensational goal.
Meanwhile, in the earlier fixture on Wednesday, Campos JNR FC and Dohz Academy were bundled out of the tourney after losing 4-2 and 3-1 respectively to Divine Praise and Ikukuoma FC.
It took eight minute for Divine Praise to break the defence line of Campos JNR FC, with a strike from Ignatus Chilem. They were ahead again three minutes later courtsey a goal from Ella Christopher.
Nwaobisa Onyebuchi puts the game beyond Campos JNR FC with the third goal in the 25th minute, after he dribbled past his makers, then put the ball beyond the goalkeeper.
Campos JNR FC started what could have been a comeback, after Simon Udoka pull one back from a goal-mouth scramble. It became 3-2 a minute after the one hour mark, as Okone Nonso scored an own goal off a left side corner.
It should have been 3-3 for Campos JNR FC in 75th minute but Divine Praise had goalkeeper Chimezie Anthony to thank after he made an outstanding save to deny Emeka Okoro from point blank. It was however little too late for Campos JNR, as Nwaobisa Onyebuchi sealed the game in the 80th minute for 4-2.
The finalists for the inaugural Nationwide League One/ Ikukuoma Super Cup would emerge on Wednesday, with two decisive fixtures billed to hold at the Uboma Secondary School Stadium complex.
With the completion of Matchday 2 fixtures in the second Round, four teams have picked 3points each, with Campos JNR and Dohz Academy exiting the tournament.
The quartet of Tudun Wada, Ikukuoma FC, Ave FC and Divine Praise are the teams that have secured maximum points after Matchday 2.
In their quest for a ticket in the grand finale, Tudun Wada will lock horns against home team Ikukuoma FC in a Group B tie fixed for 10am. Two hours later, another Uboma based team Ave FC will be seeking to go past Divine Praise FC in another interesting Group A fixture.
THURSDAY FIXTURES
Ave FC vs Divine Praise – Group A – 12noon
Tudun Wada FC vs Ikukuoma FC – Group B – 10am
