By Daily Sports on April 18, 2019

The 2019 edition of the Edo state FA Cup  kicked off at the main bowl of the University of Benin sports complex in Benin city on Wednesday with thrilling contests marking day of the competition.

With the two professional teams of the state, Bendel Insurance (NPFL) and defending champions Dynamite Force, drawn bye, day 1 of the Aiteo FA cup featured mostly grassroots clubs, and as it would be expected in a state teeming with very talented youths, the competition got off to a flying start, with very interesting games played.

The opening match was held at the main bowl of the sports complex and it saw former Edo state League champions Benin Warriors triumphing 2-0 over Freedom Assembly FC.

Freedom Assembly got off to a strong start and raided the Warriors backline searching for an early goal. The Warriors had to scramble to clear from dangerous positions in the early seconds, but they later took control of the early proceedings and they settled to a calmer ball-possession rhythm.

The Warriors scored from their very first real attacking move in the 11th minute of play through young and enterprising midfielder Jeremiah Salami collected a pass from captain Desmond Oji and fired fiercely just inside the 18-yard box.

1 quickly became 2 as the Warriors orchestrated a well-worked and quick sequence of passes that started from their goalkeeper Ese Igri. 

Tall left back Larry Eguavoen (nicknamed Econet) sent a curving pass from deep in his left back position that beat the press of the right back for Freedom FC to roll on the diagonal run of striker Aristo Igri who took a few touch before send a blazing shot down into the far corner of the net.

The first half ended with the Warriors truly in the ascendency but Freedom FC came back in the second half fighting harder. However, the technical serenity of the Warriors midfield quartet of Oji, Chukuemeka Omeke and Osazee Steven and Salami always kept Freedom fretting and in the end it could have been 3 but attacking midfielder Oji was unlucky from about 3 yards out as his shot was cleared off the line.

Benin Warriors will be meeting Dynamite Force FC in the round of 16 of the FA cup on Monday April 22nd.

Dynamite have been in a rich vein of form having won their first match of the NNL away at Calabar Rovers 1-0.

Last Sunday (14th April) Dynamite won the first Edo Super cup by beating Edo state league champions 1-0.

Dynamite will go into Monday's clash with the Warriors as favorites, but the young Warriors side usually come into games with belief, no matter how tough-looking the match.

Other Edo FA cup Wednesday results:

1.BJ Foundation 2-0 Eagles Wings

2.Sunsel 2-1 Clibbers

3.Rollys FC 5-4 Yak FC (penalty shootout after 1-1 draw in regulation time)

4.Alhaji FC 5-4 Osabu FC (penalty shootout after 1-1 draw in regulation time).

•Photo shows Benin Warriors line up in the 2019 Edo Aiteo cup. 

Source Daily Sports

Posted April 18, 2019

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