By Tunde Liadi
Ikukuoma FC have sealed Qualification to the second round of the ongoing U-19 NLO/Ikukuoma Foundation Super Cup taking at Uboma Secondary School Stadium Complex, Ihitte Uboma, Imo State after they topped Group D with maximum six points after two games.
Ikukuoma FC dislodged hard fighting Hausawa United 3-2 on Saturday to keep their unbeaten run and extended their winning streak in the competition to two games.
The team financed by High Chief Summers Nwokie knew only a draw would be enough to book their berth in the next round having beaten Giant Brillars JNR 2-0 in their first game but they wanted to be on safer place and instead went for the three points.
They scored the game’s opening goal in the fifth minute through impressive Samuel Chiedozie whose shot was only helped into the net by Hausawa United’s goalie and it was how the first half ended 1-0 in favour of the Mbaise Blues.
At the start of the second half, Hausawa United equalised barely two minutes into it through Sani Dan Kubiya who had been a torn in the flesh of Ikukuoma FC but Ikukuoma FC’s George Ibe restored their lead. Nkwocha notched Ikukuoma FC’s third goal in the 56th minute to extend the lead to 3-1.
There was a late drama sort of when Abubakar Dan Habu reduced the deficit to 3-2 in the 65th minute but Ikukuoma FC’s held on to secure a famous win and thus earned them a place in the next round as Group D winner.
In the other game played on Saturday, Discovery FA pipped Ebedei JNR 1-0 through Umar Abdullah’s solitary effort in the 70th in a Group F tie but it was not enough to hand them the group ticket which was taken by Dohz Academy who got six points from two games as against three accumulated by Discovery FA.
In a Group E tie, Tudun Wada FA defeated Zeal Minds 2-0 through two first half goals scored by Aminu Mohammed and Rabiu Abdullah in the 27th and 30th minutes. The victory was enough for them to steal the group’s sole ticket off Zeal Minds who were on top of before the game. Tudun Wada finished with four points from two games.
Divine Praise needed just a point in their Group C tie against JSC FC of Suleja and they surely got it and have picked the sole ticket in the group with four points out of possible six.
Nwaobisa Onyebuchi fired Divine Praise to the lead in the 30th minute but JSC FC didn’t give up they fought back like wounded lions and were rewarded with the equalising goal in the 59th minute. It was JSC FC’s first point in the competition having lost their first game 2-1 to Jaguar FC.
Earlier, Ave FC and Campos City FC qualified to the next round from Groups A and B respectively. Ave FC topped Group A with four points from two games ahead of Golden Albium and Summers FC while Campos City FC finished top of Group B with six points from two games. They beat Palm Syrup 2-1 and pipped Paul E FC of Abuja 1-0 in the second game.
U-19 NLO/Ikukuoma Foundation Super Cup Matchday Four Results
Divine Praise 1-1 JSC FCU
Ikukuoma FC 3-2 Hausawa United
Zeal Minds 0-2 Tudun Wada
Discovery FA 1-0 Ebedei JNR
