Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side Lobi Stars will face Kwara United in Thursday’s final of the inaugural Governor Okowa Cup after both teams negotiated difficult semifinal ties on Wednesday.
Lobi Stars lost for the first time in the competition on Tuesday and again went behind to Niger Tornadoes in their semi final game on Wednesday when Musa Wakili’s curling effort beat goalkeeper John Lawrence in the 39th minute.
Gbenga Ogunbote’s wards however levelled just before the hour mark when Abdulkareem Mumuni poked home his third goal of the competition going on at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.
Both Lobi Stars and Niger Tornadoes finished the regulation time stalemated but Lobi won the ensuing penalty shootout 4-1 to seal a place in Thursday’s finale.
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In the second semi final game decided at the same venue on Wednesday evening, Kwara United ended the fairy tale run of Rivers United when they edged Stanley Eguma’s men 1-0.
Chinedu Ufere’s glancing header beat Rivers goalkeeper Ospino Egbe after just five minutes of play to hand Abdullahi Biffo’s side the victory required to contest the tournament’s championship match.
Further attempts by Rivers United to bring the game back to parity were foiled by Kwara’s defence especially the impressive Emmanuel Iwu in goal for the Harmony Warriors.
Thursday’s final between Lobi Stars and Kwara United is scheduled for 3pm at the same venue (Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba) immediately after the third place match between Niger Tornadoes and Rivers United.
