First Bank and Stanbic-IBTC were locked in battle for 3 points that would see either of them go 2nd on the log. It was however First Bank that claimed all points as Dele Oshikomaiya, Yakassai Kabiru, and Leke Odusanya all ran riot in a 3 – 0 win.
It took First Bank a while to get going and when they did, they made their chances count. Dele Oshikomaiya opened the floodgates when his low free-kick slipped beyond the reach of goalkeeper Sunday Odumeru.
Yakassai Kabiru doubled his sides’ advantage in the 16th minute after collecting an Austin Onyeukwu pass inside the box before going past Stanbic’s James Ochiekwu then shot past Sunday Odumeru.
With the tie seemingly heading for a 2 – 0 finish Adeleke Odusanya produced a stunner to knock the wind out of the Stanbic sails. He received a pass from Solomon Idowu and seeing Seyi Awoniyi off his line belted a bullet from about 40 yards over the goalkeeper.
MVP: GANU ISHAQ (FIRST BANK)
STAN CHART PICK FIRST POINTS AT DIAMOND’S EXPENSE
Diamond Bank needed to pick at least one point from their tie against Standard Chartered Bank to keep their hopes of qualification to the quarter final alive. It was Standard Chartered Bank who however got the much needed points with 1 – 0 victory.
Going into the tie, Standard Chartered bank were without a point and needed a win to brighten their chances of qualification. They however started on a slow note as Diamond took the game to them. Profligacy however robbed Diamond Bank of goals with Tony Okojie the biggest culprit.
The first half finished goalless, but it saw a different Standard Chartered Bank that kept piling on the pressure on Diamond bank.
The introduction of Nonso Udoye, Funlola Oni and Jide Shiwuoku failed to bring about the much needed change as they kept creating chances and wasting them.
One change however proved inspired. Bishop Kaine came on and after spurning a few chances of his own he finally made amends. Diamond failed to make a last minute clearance and Adegbenro Adegboyega pounced to square the ball for an onrushing Bishop Kaine to knock into the net late in the game.
Fela is the Co-founder of MediaVision Limited .
