THERE were some big upsets in the Aiteo Cup (Nigeria’s FA Cup) on Wednesday with Nigeria Professional Football League clubs falling to sides from the lower leagues.
NPFL leaders Akwa United were stunned 1-0 by second-tier Gateway United, who are ninth in the 13-team Nigeria National League Group B2.
Another NPFL side and one of Nigeria’s biggest clubs, Enugu Rangers, were also sent packing from the competition by second-tier Bayelsa United.
The Bayelsa club, second in the NNL Group B2, defeated Rangers 1-0.
The third NPFL club to crash out on Wednesday, Warri Wolves, lost 5-4 on penalties to Green Berets after full-time ended 1-1.
Kano Pillars, Sunshine Stars, Katsina United and Rivers United however avoided upsets and advanced to the next round.
Pillars showed their superiority over Smart City, winning 4-2, while Sunshine Stars came from behind to draw with Kogi United before progressing 6-5 on penalties.
Katsina United were held to a 0-0 draw by second-tier El-Kanemi Warriors but the NPFL side prevailed 5-3 on penalties.
Rivers United scraped past NNL side Sokoto United 2-1, while Abia Warriors thrashed Zamfara United 5-0 for the biggest win of the day.
Two more NPFL clubs also advanced on Wednesday, with Lobi Stars defeating Yobe Desert Warriors 1-0 and Heartland beating Ekiti United 5-4 on penalties after full-time ended 0-0.
AITEO Cup results
Smart City 2-4 Kano Pillars
Gateway United 1-0 Akwa United
Katsina United 0-0 El-kanemi Warriors
(5-3 on penalties)
MaiUnguwa 0-2 Niger Tornadoes
Sunshine Stars 1-1 Kogi United
(6-5 on penalties)
Abia Warriors 5-0 Zamfara United
Yobe Desert Warriors 0-1 Lobi Stars
Ekiti United 0-0 Heartland FC
( 4-5 on penalties)
Rivers United 2-1 Sokoto United
Rangers 0-1 Bayelsa United
Green Berets 1-1 Warri Wolves (5-4 on penalties)
