Defending Champions Akwa United opened the defence of their AITEO Cup crown in emphatic fashion, dimming the hopes of little known Hope of Glory FC with a 7-0 bashing. It came on a Round of 64 day which saw former Cup Champions Heartland, Shooting Stars and Insurance crash out to lower league sides.
Youngster Aniekeme Asuquo was the star of the day with an impressive hattrick in the match decided at the Sharks Football Stadium in Port Harcourt. Former Barcelona B star, Ezekiel Bassey and Victor Mbaoma registered their names twice on the score sheet to give Abdu Maikaba’s team a comprehensive victory.
Earlier at the same venue, Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side and winners in 2012, Heartland were bundled out by NNL side Cofine FC. Scores stood 1-1 at full time after Alex Kouakou cancelled out Mboutidem Charles strike. The Uyo based side won the ensuing spot kicks 4-2.
Another NNL side Shooting Stars – winners in 1995 – also bowed out 5-4 on penalties to Supreme Court in Benin while Insurance were humbled by Remo Stars Feeders team by a lone goal.
2014 champions Enyimba also began with a 3-0 triumph over non-league side Wasiu Alabelewe from Osun State with new Super Eagles invitee Sunday Adetunji scoring twice. Kano Pillars however left it late before seeing off Ngwa FC of Ebonyi.
Another NPFL side Sunshine Stars came from a goal down against FC Ifeanyiubah Feeders team to win 3-1 with star striker Sikiru Alimi scoring twice before former Rivers United forward Godbless Asamoah wrapped up the scoring.
The next round of matches (Round of 32) will hold next Sunday in different venues across the country.
Other results
Smart City 1-2 Abia Warriors
Yobe Desert FC 2-1 DMD FC
Zabgai FC 0-2 Plateau United
Gombe United (3) 1-1 (5) Dynamite FC
Kano Pillars Feeders (4) 2-2 (5) Crown FC
Nyasagwana FC 1-5 FC Ifeanyi Ubah
Ngwa FC 2-3 Kano Pillars
Cofine FC (4) 1-1 (2) Heartland FC
Katsina Feeders FC 3-1 Jigawa Golden Stars
Aklosendi Int’l FC (6) 0-0 (5) FRSC FC
Igho FC (Delta) FC 0-4 Kogi United FC
Bayelsa United FC 4-1 Fasbir FC
Bendel Insurance FC 0-1 Remo Stars Junior
FC Minda 1-2 Osun United FC
Shooting Stars (4) 0-0 (5) Supreme Court
ABS Ilorin FC (2) 1-1 (3) Kebbi United FC
Katsina United – Madagali United (Walk Over)
Chief of Staff – Niger Tornadoes (Walk Over)
Dan Masari FC – Go Round FC (Walk Over)
Samba FC 0-3 El Kanemi
Kwara United FC 2-1 All Stars FC (Half-time Scoreline) – Second-half to be played on Monday.
Monday’s fixtures
Rivers United vs Gusau Eleven
Lobi Stars vs Standard FC
Sokoto United vs MFM FC
Ekiti United FC vs Mighty Jets
