The Agege Stadium lagos on Sunday evening was agog with fans of both finalist teams Akwa United and Niger Tonardoes as they went head on to decide Nigeria’s representative in next year’s CAF Confederation Cup. The signature Nigerian trumpet music filled the entire stadium as each team tried to best the other throughout the game to take home the championship.
The match-up as expected was very fierce, both teams proved themselves determined not to loose, ending the game in a deadlock with no goals from both sides; leading to a decisive penalty shootout that saw Akwa United take home the Aiteo trophy with a 3-2 win.
In the first half of the game, neither teams made a good attempt at a goal. At half time, Akwa United striker Musa Newman, was let down by a poor first touch right inside the box, and in the second half, Friday Ubong could not complete a goal task because of a timely header by Niger Tornadoes defender Reuben Ogbonnaya. Also in the 85th minute, substitute Okechukwu failed to convert a clear chance at a goal in a single man scuffle with only goalkeeper Mustapha Aliko to beat.
Akwa United striker, Gabriel Okechukwu, scored the decisive penalty after both teams were tied on 2-2 in the shootout to give Akwa United the win.
This victory has made Akwa United 25 million naira richer, and it is their second appearance and win in a final round match-up after they won this same trophy in 2015.
