Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) heavyweights, Nasarawa United and Lobi Stars faced torrid times yesterday as they had to dig deep to reach the semi-finals in the ongoing Unity Pres-season football tournament in Abuja.
Although the odds had favoured the NPFL clubs to qualify for the semi-finals, the underdogs, City FC and Like-minds, ensured victories didn’t come to their more illustrious opponents on a platter of gold.n
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In the opening quarter-final match between Nasarawa United and City FC, the ‘Solid Miners’ parading some of their experienced players like Abubakar Abdullahi, Anas Yusuf, Dauda Maigishiri and Obasi Dennis failed to break down their less endowed opponents as the first half was stalemated.
However, on resumption, towering central defender, Emeka Onyema, made the difference against the determined Nigeria National League (NNL) side, when he lifted highest to nod home the winner in the 59th minute to take the ‘Solid miners’ to the semi-finals.
The other quarter-final match which ended 2-1 in favour of Lobi Stars followed the same pattern as the underdogs, Like-Minds FC of Abuja, stretched the ‘Pride of Benue’ to the fullest.
A former Kano Pillars hitman, Jerry Alex, who was on the score sheet in the last group match against IB Dreams, opened the scoring for Lobi Stars in the 23rd minute.
Then, new boy, Abba Umar, who joined from Katsina United, doubled Lobi Stars lead seven minutes into the second half before Like-Minds Achu pulled one back for his side in the 79th minute for a more respectable scoreline.
Meanwhile, action will continue today as Mahanaim FC square up against Setraco FC while EFCC and Family Worship Centre (FWC) tango in the last quarter-final match at the Area 3 football field.
