Football
Dami Ugbane, Special to ESPN 6y

Tornadoes, Stars in driving seat in Aiteo Cup

Niger Tornadoes and Sunshine Stars secured home wins in the first leg Aiteo Cup semi-final matches on Saturday.

Niger Tornadoes handed a shocking defeat to the champions FC Ifeanyi Ubah, while Sunshine Stars have a slim advantage over Akwa United heading into the second leg in Uyo.

Niger Tornadoes 4-2 FC Ifeanyi Ubah

Niger Tornadoes made a big statement of intent against FC Ifeanyi Ubah, overturning a two-goal deficit to eventually emerge victorious in a six-goal thriller in Lokoja.

The champions raced into an early lead through Godwin Obaje's eighth-minute strike. King Osanga buried a 52nd-minute free-kick to double the advantage for the Anambra Warriors, as they looked well on course to secure successive away wins in the cup competition.

Tornadoes began the comeback by netting two goals in two minutes. Sani Mohammed reduced the deficit in the 61st minute, before the impressive Ibrahim Babawo levelled matters.

Rabiu Mohammed then handed the home team the lead for the first time with a well-taken goal, and Peter Momoh struck the fourth goal in the dying moments from 20 yards out to ensure Tornadoes are just a step away from a first cup final in 17 years.

Sunshine Stars 1-0 Akwa United

Man-of-the-match goalkeeper Henry Ayodele was the hero for Sunshine Stars, who secured a narrow win against an impressive Akwa United team.

Ajibola Otegbeye netted the only goal of the game in the 33rd minute, heading Adeniyi's cross past goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo. Both teams were impressive and perhaps the game deserved more goals.

Ifeanyi Ifeanyi twice came close to dragging Akwa back into the encounter. He struck the frame of the goal and saw another goal-bound effort saved by Ayodele.

The outcome leaves both teams with a fair chance of qualifying for the final in Uyo on Wednesday.

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