Tudun Wada FC were on Saturday crowned champions of the inaugural Nationwide League One NLO/ Ikukuoma Super Cup after they edged Ave FC 3-2 on penalties.
The final match decided at the Uboma Secondary School Stadium Complex in Uboma near Owerri, Imo state lived up to its billing as both teams deserved fought to get their hands on the trophy. After the game ended 1-1 in regulation time before the inimitable Tudun Wada boys nicked it.
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A minute after the half hour mark, Tudun Wada thought they had taken the lead after a sharp turn of pace by Yakubu Mohammed put him in behind and did enough to fire his shot towards goal from a tight angle, but his strike went for side netting.
Ave FC goalkeeper Sebastine Chibuike was forced to make a reflex save in the 35th minute, as he stretched magnificently to save a shot from Rabiu Abdullahi.
Rabiu Abdullahi was then close to scoring the first goal of the game in the 48th minute but was denied by the woodwork after he latched onto Shamsudeen Rabiu’s magnificent through ball, rounded goalkeeper Chibuike but was unlucky to hit the upright with his effort.
The deadlock was broken four minutes to the one hour mark when impressive centre back Salisu Idris put Tudun Wada ahead, heading home off a corner kick delivery.
With 13 minutes to end the final, Adesokan Abdulmalik draw level for Ave FC from the penalty spot for 1-1. No further goal was scored as both teams then went into spot kicks to determine the winner of the contest.
It was Tudun Wada FC day as they converted three of the kicks while Ave FC missed three, with Adesokan who missing the decisive spot kick.
The competition which lasted for eleven days witnessed top footballing artistry from young players with many of them already pencilled down by agents at home and abroad for greatness.
Some of the players that distinguished themselves in the NLO/Ikukuoma Super Cup include Sani Dan-Kubya of Hausawa United, Salisu Idris and Rabiu Abdullah of Tudun Wada, Abdulmalik Adesokan of Ave FC, Ignatius Chilem and Onyebuchi Nwaobisa of Divine Praise FC among others.
