Aiteo Cup: Rangers Defeat Akwa Utd, Await Opponent for Semifinal Clash

RANGERS CRUISE PAST AKWA UNITED INTO AITEO CUP S/F By NORBERT OKOLIE Five time Federation/Aiteo cup champions, Rangers International F.C, Wednesday afternoon inside the Sani Abacha stadium, Kano successfully dethroned former Aiteo cup champions, Akwa United with a 4-2 penalty kicks triumph after the match was tied 1-1 at the end of ninety minutes. Godwin Aguda converted the winning spot kick after Michael Ibe and Jemiu Alimi had missed for the two time champions. The match had started on a cautious note with both side careful not to make grave mistakes with little showmanship from either Aniekeme Iniobong of Akwa United or Ugochukwu Ugwuoke of Rangers. With few minutes to end the first stanza, Isaac Loute was adjudged by the referee to have committed an infringement on the edge of Rangers box and Michael Ibe curled a beautiful freekick over the four man wall to rest in Rangers’ net for the curtain raiser on 43 minutes. Rangers coaching team made double substitution at the hour mark and it turned the tide in favor of the Enugu side as Felix Ogbuke and Kelvin Itoya were too much to be handled by the Ariwachukwu Emmanuel led backline of Akwa United. Okey Odita rose to the occasion on 71 minutes to scramble the ball into the net off an inch perfect free kick that was flicked on be pint sized, Bright Silas for the much expected equalizer. In the ensuing penalty kicks which was needed to determine the tie after no other goal came, Rangers converted their four kicks while Akwa United managed to score two. With this win, Rangers picks one of the semi-final tickets and awaits its opponent for next Wednesday’s fixture. Felix Ogbuke who came in as a substitute to turn the tide of the game said after the match, “I give God all the glory for this victory. We worked as a team and that was responsible for this win. We shall approach the remaining two matches in the competition with even more zeal and determination until we achieve our aim of going continental next season.” Coach Ogunbote said, “It was hard and we expected it and prepared well for it. Thank God we did not lose our heads after going behind but kept pushing and got the equalizer that took the game to penalty kicks. Yes, two more matches to go and we shall take them one at a time. We have our target.”