Delta Force, Warri Wolves crash out of FA Cup

The 2017 edition of the Delta FA Cup lived up to its billings as the flagship of Nigerian football recorded upsets at the quarterfinal stage with Delta Force of Asaba, Warri Wolves and Delta Stars of Ughelli, all owned by the state government, crashing out of the competition at the weekend.

Delta Force of Asaba saw its two goal lead cancelled by amateur side, Delta Warriors of Warri in the fourth minute of added time before dumping the more renowned Asaba team out of the competition in the match played at the Oleh Township Stadium.

The first half of the game had ended goalless but the Coach Peter Niekiten side came into the second half looking to stamp its authority in the game. Substitute Chinedu Madulaife scored the opening goal for the NNL Southern Conference campaigners by sliding home an Ikechukwu Udeze free kick.

Delta Force made it two seven minutes to the end of the game when Ufuoma Ajanikolo was brought down in the vital area and Sani Hamza converted the resultant penalty kick.

The goal brought out the best in the Warri boys, who got a goal back through Ufuoma Akpos, who converted a penalty awarded when Martins Akposhowobah of Delta Force hacked Ahmedu Sule down in the box. Ahmedu Sule leveled scores when his overhead kick beat onrushing Bala Muktar in goal for Delta Force in the 93rd minute.

With scores at 2-2, the game was settled by a penalty shoot out, which the Warri boys won 4-3.Warri Wolves was dumped through a penalty shoot out after the regulation time in its game against Iwerre United of Warri ended goalless. Iwerre United won the shoot out 4-3.

Delta Stars Football Club of Ughelli also played a goalless draw with J. Atete Senior of Otu-jeremi before losing by the same margin in a penalty shoot-out. Defending champions, J. Atete Feeders Team of Otu-Jeremi was beaten by Igho of Sapele by a lone goal. Igho FC will now meet Delta Warriors, while J. Atete takes on Iwerre FC in the semifinal stage.