Stephen Okpeche, Rashidi Anifowoshe and Olakunle Irinyemi were among the scorers as FC Udeze took a huge step towards the Nigeria Ex Internationals Cup quarter-finals courtesy of a blistering 4-1 win over 10-man FC Okpara in their last-16 first leg.
FC Udeze drew the first blood through Okpeche’s delicious free kick.
FC Okpara were awarded a penalty kick on 10 minutes. Johnson Adeaga rarely lets such go unpunished, and he delivered the goods to level matters.
The homers looked the much more likely to score, though, and they did so again shortly before the break. Anifowoshe drove home a world class free kick to find the back of the net.
The Godwin Okpara managed team were no doubt relieved to get a breather at half-time. But things was made complicated for the former PSG man’s wards, when Oriyomi Adesegun was given the marching orders in the 55th minute.
Former PAOK and Super Eagles overlapping left back, Ifeanyi Udeze kept on urging his wards to go for more like Oliver Twist. They broke in thrilling fashion from another set-piece to leave the away side shell-shocked once again. Olakunle sent home in excellent fashion.
Okpeche got his brace eight minutes after the hour mark.
The frenetic pace dropped a bit thereafter, with FC Okpara limiting the damage, and only a freak result in the return leg can now prevent Udeze’s side from reaching the last eight.
FC Nwosu 1-1 FC Amoo
FC Nwosu and FC Amoo drew 1-1, after strikes by Friday Jatau and Samson Akinyoola. Jatau put FC Amoo ahead with a chip into the top corner in the first half and Zamalek star Akinyoola equalized for the hosts with a one-time strike from a goal mouth scramble.
FC Ikpeba 1-1 FC Ipaye
FC Ipaye withstood waves of FC Ikpeba attacks to claim a 1-1 draw.
Ayodele Isiah powered FC Ikpeba ahead from the penalty spot.
But Ipaye dominated the second half and scored a deserved equaliser through Biokpo MacLean’s volley.
FC Ugbade 1-0 FC Dominic
Simon Cletus scored a 15th minute penalty to earn hosts FC Ugbade a 1-0 victory over FC Dominic.
Cletus converted his spot-kick after defender Osha Wasiu handled the ball in the box.
Disciplined FC Ugbade stifled the visiting side’s attacks and FC Dominic were toothless throughout the match.
The Nigeria Ex Internationals Cup, is proudly supported by leading gaming company, Bet9ja.
Other partners are Owu, a foremost sportswear company in Nigeria, Brila FM, Mavlon FC, Mr. Olusola Akinlade, Liigi League, Olafiranye Sports Foundation and Mr. Mahmud Dawodu.