Kwara Football Academy graduate, Godwin Oshagbemi this morning nodded home the winning goal as Kwara United Football Club defeated hard fighting and determined SGFC Athletics 3-2 in the first semi-final match of this year’s State Federation Cup competition, decided at the Kwara Football Academy pitch.
Kwara United scored the first goal as early as 10th minutes through Omaka Anthony, who nodded home a pull-out by Musa Abdulafeez, but SGFC Athletics fought back, getting a well deserves equalizer in the 22 minute when Sulaiman Ibrahim volleyed into the net at close range.
Samad Kadri restored the lead for Kwara United in the 32 minute, from the spot, as SGFC Athletics defender was punished for handling the ball in the vital area.
Interestingly, SGFC Athletics responded positively, this time around through highly enterprising Anthony Jegede. The goal undoubtedly raised the hope of the Nationwide League side, as they frustrated all moves made by Kwara United.
SGFC Athletics brought out Abayomi Ayodeji for Rahman Saka, and Bamidele Ridwan was also replaced with Habib Mubarak, all in the 40 minute.
Kwara United introduced Godwin Oshagbemi and Mohammed Ibrahim in place of Anthony Omaka and Issa Gata on resumption of the second half, and also brought in Sunday Samuel for Garba Abubakar in the 52nd minute, arguably to cope with the pace and zeal of the NLO team.
Oshagbemi met and nodded home a pull-out from Sanni Faisal in the 57 minute, with the goal eventually earning his team a final ticket for this year’s State Federation Cup competition.
After scoring the goal, Kwara United brought in Taofeek Ahmed in place of Samad Kadri, obviously in search of more goals, with the combination of Ayobami Junior and Jide Fatokun in the midfield doing much to curtail and constant menacing moves of SGFC Athletics.
SGFC Athletics introduced Azeez Sodiq and Henry Ndubisi in place of Imam Abdulgafar and Anthony Jegede respectively, in the 80 minute, as they increased tempo in search of an equalizer, which did not come.
In the second semi-final match, Nigeria National League (NNL) side, Abubakar Bukola Saraki (Ilorin) FC defeated Foresight Academy 5-1, with Ayoku AbdulRahman, Malik Srajudeen, Raheem Sa’ad and Jamiu Sa’ad scoring a goal each to make it 4-0 in the first half.
Foresight Academy got their only goal through Wale Ishola, who converted a penalty in the 70th minute, before Wisdom Hyginus rounded it up with a volley inside the box, to make it 5-1.
Kwara United, who are the defending champions will take on ABS Ilorin FC in the final on Wednesday March 15, 2023, at the Kwara Football Academy by 4.00pm. The two female teams, Kwara Ladies FC and Moje Queens of Erin-Ile that registered for the female competition will clash in the female final by 2.00pm, same day.
