We tell about 4 Wildcard stage matches at the largest Nigerianamateur football tournament on September 9-10.
Bethel Sporting FC v Wasola FC, 1-0
Bethel Sporting FC lost the 1st place in Group A due to the defeat inthe last clash against Gunners Link FC, but in the end, they used thesecond chance at the Wildcard stage and made it to the top eight. Thisteam knew Wasola FC’s weaknesses. They had already played thisopponent in the group and won 4-1. The struggle for the quarterfinalsproved to be tougher, but Bethel Sporting FC again beat Wasola FC thanks to Kadri Olanrewaju’s only goal in the 24th minute.
Dosu Joseph FC v Collins Edwin SC, 1-1; penalty shootout – 1-2
Dosu Joseph FC finished their Group B performance with a win overreigning champions SB LFC. After such success, the squad expectedto triumph at the Wildcard stage as well. Dosu Joseph FC led most ofthe match due to Michael Ede’s goal in the 31st minute. However, EkeLight scored in the 88th minute, and the regular time ended with thesame result as their game in the group – 1-1. The penalty shootout wasthe goalkeepers’ finest hour, as they allowed the players to succeedwith only 3 shots. In the end, Collins Edwin SC won 2-1.
Ighalo FA v Emiloju FC, 0-1
Experts and fans keep considering Ighalo FA as the favorite againstEmiloju FC. But the underdog has found an antidote to the 1xBet Cup 2023 finalist and won with the same score as in the group C struggle. Daniel John netted the only goal in the 29th minute, which broughtEmiloju FC to the quarterfinals. Ighalo FA can only lament theleaders’ absence – the best scorer, Fawas Yusuf, and the most valuableplayer, Justice Ohanusi. Captain Emmanuel Inah and king of speed Dennis Kingsley did their best but failed to help Ighalo FA to repeatits success.
36 Lion FC v Diadem Stallion FC, 0-0, penalty shootout – 4-5
Diadem Stallion FC secured the 3rd place in group D only in the lastmatch. Few people believed in this team at the Wildcard stage, butthey learned lessons from the previous struggle with the favorite. In Group 36, Lion FC won 2-0 thanks to Seun Lawal’s double, but onSeptember 10, Diadem Stallion FC stopped both the recognizedgoalscorer and his partners. The regular time in the intense clashended with no goals being scored. In the penalty shootout, DiademStallion FC succeeded with all of its shots and won 5-4. Although 36 Lion FC counted on goalkeeper Samuel Oriola, who earned a reputation as a specialist in handling 11-meter penalties, theopponents were better.
What’s next at the 1xBet Cup Nigeria
All 8 quarterfinal participants are known:
The playoff schedule:
Remember that this year at the 1xBet Cup Nigeria, the game betweenthe squads that lost in the semifinals will not just be a consolationfinal. After the first tournament’s success, 1xBet was convinced of itssocial mission importance and now wants to invest in grassrootsfootball in Nigeria. The best bookmaker in Africa has increased thebonuses and the number of teams sharing the 1xBet Cup prize moneyin Nigeria.
The competition for individual awards
Seun Lawal (36 Lion FC), Ayato Akindele (Dosu Joseph FC), Okechukwu Nwanna (Bethel Sporting FC), and Wasiu Yaya (EmaljusFC) lead the strikers’ race with 4 goals. However, as their teams havebeen relegated, the first two footballers have slim chances to competefor 300,000 NGN in prize money for the 1xBet Cup 2024 best scorer. The most valuable player and the best coach at the 1xBet Cup Nigeria2024 will also receive 300,000 NGN each.
A total of 98 goals were scored in 44 matches. The goalkeepersworked brilliantly so that the average performance of the Wildcardstage was only 1 goal per game. We remind you that the tournament’sbest goalkeeper will also share the 1xBet Cup prize money in Nigeriaand receive 250,000 NGN. According to 1xBet, the Nigeriangrassroots football development policy should encourage not onlyteam but also individual achievements.
Take part in supporting grassroots football in Nigeria and supportyour favorite at the stadium in the decisive playoff matches! The finalis coming, so don’t forget to visit the tournament website for detailedinformation about the results, game schedule, and the latest news ofthe participating squads.
