The race for a place in the semi-finals of the Bet9ja Foundation Ex-Internationals Cup intensified on Thursday as FC Ipaye and FC Enegwea recorded hard-fought 1-0 victories in their respective quarter-final first-leg encounters, setting up intriguing return fixtures.
At the Legacy Pitch, FC Ipaye made home advantage count with a disciplined performance to edge past a resilient FC Alloy side. The breakthrough came courtesy of in-form striker Taylor Adebayo, whose well-taken finish proved to be the decisive moment of the contest. The goal handed the hosts a valuable halftime lead and ultimately separated both teams after a fiercely contested 90 minutes.
Despite sustained pressure from FC Alloy in search of an equaliser, FC Ipaye remained defensively compact and organized, preserving their slender advantage ahead of the decisive second leg. While the one-goal cushion offers encouragement, the tie remains finely balanced with everything still to play for.
Meanwhile, at the Maracana Arena, FC Enegwea secured a crucial away victory after defeating FC Nieketien 1-0 in another tightly contested affair. The breakthrough arrived following a goalmouth scramble, where Okpara Abraham reacted quickest to poke home the winning goal and give his side a priceless advantage.
The victory is even more significant as FC Enegwea not only claimed an away win but also kept a clean sheet, placing them in a strong position heading into Friday’s return leg at the same venue. FC Nieketien created several promising moments but were unable to break down Enegwea’s resolute defensive setup.
Both quarter-final first-leg fixtures were defined by tactical discipline, defensive resilience, and clinical finishing. FC Ipaye and FC Enegwea maximized their limited opportunities, while FC Alloy and FC Nieketien were left to rue missed chances despite spirited performances.
With identical 1-0 scorelines in both encounters, the battle for semi-final qualification remains wide open. FC Alloy and FC Nieketien now face the challenge of overturning narrow deficits in the second legs, while FC Ipaye and FC Enegwea will be aiming to protect their leads and complete the job.
As the Bet9ja Foundation Ex-Internationals Cup quarter-finals head into their decisive fixtures, football fans can expect another round of intense, high-stakes action as four ambitious clubs battle for the coveted semi-final spots.
