Godwin Obaje scored twice as defending champions FC Ifeanyiubah defeated Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) 3-0 in their AITEO Cup quarter final first leg clash at the Ifeanyiubah Stadium, Nnewi on Wednesday.
Obaje opened scoring for the hosts on 27 minutes when he converted from the penalty spot after he was brought down by Ebuka Franklin.
The visitors were denied a chance to draw level minutes later by Ifeanyiubah goalkeeper Drissa Bamba. The Ivorian was well placed to save Wasiu Alalade’s well crafted effort.
Yaw Preko’s side doubled their advantage five minutes before the break through Mohammed Suleiman who headed home after an outstretched ABS goalkeeper Yinka Adewale had beat out Bright Onyedikachi’s effort.
Henry Makinwa’s ABS were denied what looked like a genuine penalty call on 65 minutes when Isaac Loute upended former Ifeanyiubah star Eugene Ossy.
The hosts got out of sight of the visitors six minutes later through their top scorer Obaje who glanced home King Osanga’s deflected cross at the near post.
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In the other all-top flight game at the AITEO Cup on Wednesday, league champions Plateau United went down 2-0 to Niger Tornadoes in Lokoja.
Striker Ebenezer Odeyemi and utility star Bolaji Adeyemo scored in either half to give Abubakar Bala’s men a decent advantage going into the second leg in Jos.
In Osogbo, Duke Udi’s return to Osun United ended in defeat as the ten-man hosts edged Sunshine Stars 1-0 in a keenly contested affair at the Osogbo Township Stadium.
Emmanuel Osigwe received a first half red card for United while Dayo Ojo went close with a free kick which rebounded off the cross bar.
United, the only second division side left in the competition settled the game on 66 minutes when the lively Tosin Omoyele headed home from inside the box.
All second leg ties hold this weekend with the exception of the game involving 2015 Champions Akwa United and Katsina United Feeders. The first leg was shifted to this weekend.
