Defending champions Akwa United will battle Enugu Rangers in the quarter final of the Aiteo Cup after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Nasarawa United in their last Group game in Aba to finish as runners up with six points from three games.
A goal in each half by Nojeem Olukokun and Isah Ndala helped Nasarawa United to a comfortable win and move them to top of Group D with 7 points from three matches.
Coach Abdu Maikaba whose team booked their place in the quarter final early in the week following Victories over Wikki Tourists and Kogi United, made eight changes to the team that won the previous two games as they slump to their first defeat in the competition.
The Champions fell behind on the stroke of half time when Nojeem Olukokun capitalised on a defensive mix up to put his team in front. The Lafia based team extended their lead in the 70th minute through Isah Ndala who benefitted from a sloppy defending to secure his team’s victory.
Akwa United with fourteen goals in their previous four matches also had chances of their own but Cyril Olisema, Etboy Akpan and Paul Obata all fail to put them away as they fail to score for the first time in five matches.
The Promise Keepers who are aiming to retain the trophy they won last year will travel to Kano to engage Enugu Rangers next Wednesday at the Sani Abacha Stadium for one of the four semi final tickets while Nasarawa United will remain in Aba to confront El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri.
Quarter Finals Fixtures
KANO CENTRE
Enugu Rangers vs Akwa United
GOMBE CENTRE
Enyimba FC vs Kano Pillars
LAGOS CENTRE
Katsina United vs Kwara United
ABA CENTRE
Nasarawa United vs El-Kanemi Warriors
