It was goals galore at the Kwale Township Stadium yesterday, as De Unique FC of Asaba narrowly pipped Golden Friends FC of Oreokpe to victory in an exciting five-goal thriller in the Round of 16 of the 2019 Bet9ja Royal Cup.
Olueh Ugeh scored his fifth goal of the competition for Golden Friends when he opened scoring in the 9th minute for his side after a frantic goal mouth scramble.
Three minutes thereafter, De Unique FC equalized through Ibiang Apla, who delivered a sumptuous freekick few metres from the 18-yard box to put his team back in contention.
The first half, however, finished 1 – 1.
The second half began on a more fiery note, as the two teams probe each other from end to end.
Golden Friend got rewarded for their efforts, when they were awarded a penalty in the 61st minute.
Olueh Ugeh fancied it and dispatched it coolly to put Friends ahead and notch his sixth goal of the tournament.
But the lead did not last long.
In the 64th minute, momentary loss of concentration by Golden Friends’ defenders gifted Unqiue’s substitute, Obi Success, the opportunity to brilliantly chip the ball over goalkeeper, Umeboro Caleb, inside the box to leave scores at 2 – 2.
With less than 12 minutes on the clock, Mike Ezemonye volleyed in the winning goal at the far after he received a pin point cross from the right flank.
The Asaba clubside eventually won the tie 3 – 2 to progress to the quarterfinals.
Earlier, slum side, FC Galaxy, were unexpectedly thrown out of the 2019 Bet9ja Royal Cup by Young Professionals 5 – 4 on penalties.
The encounter had finished in a 2 – 2 draw during normal time.
