By Daily Sports on April 25, 2019

BJ Foundation FC on Wednesday afternoon at the S&T barracks pitch in Benin qualified for the semi-final of the 2019 Edo Aiteo FA Cup by shocking Nigeria professional division one side 2-1.

The match was billed as a grudge match with the last competitive game between both sides in 2017 ended in violence, leaving a number of players with bloodied heads after BJ protested the referee’s officiating that saw them surrender a two goal lead to lose 3-2.

This time though there was no whiff of violence in a game that took place at the well guarded S&T barracks with any potential trouble maker knowing all too well not to try anything stupid.

And so it was that the stage was set for good football. Both sides have got very high quality players and it was evident from the start.

Austin Kwere, Dynamite’s mercurial midfielder was pulling the strings in midfield for his side, evading tackles, selling dummies like a professional salesman and spraying passes with indignant aplomb to the admiration of the fans.

But BJ are a side who press high up the pitch in numbers and waste little time in sending long balls to the opponents’ vital area. This they did as high balls kept flying towards big man in attack Precious Ediae who duly obliged and enjoyed the physical battle. He troubled and tightened the daylight out of the Dynamite defence with his height, hold up play, flicking headers and overall power.

It was Ediae who out BJ in front midway into the first half with a powerful header off a cross from the right flank.

Dynamite continued to play calmly and almost scored from a free kick minutes later, but Kwere’s powerful shot was masterfully tipped over the bar by inspirational BJ goalkeeper Shanger Anthony.

Dynamite carved out some good chances in the second half but their strikers failed to find the killer touch to draw them level.

A Dynamite header hit the bar, while BJ defenders fought tooth and nail to foil all attacks from their foes.

BJ captain and skillful midfielder Solomon Osaghae led by example all through the game, rallying his men vocally and with good touches as well. He put his team 2-0 up with about 10 minutes remaining as his free kick just outside the 18 yard box beat Dynamite’s goalkeeper hands down as he stood rooted to the spot, watching in despair as BJ players and fans celebrated.

Dynamite got a late penalty after BJ defender Uba handled the ball in the box. Kwere expertly converted the penalty but it was only a consolation.

As the referee blew the final whistle, BJ coach and club owner Douglas Idahosa brought out bundles of 1 US Dollar notes and sprayed it in the air. Many scrambled to pick the wads. One young lad celebrated, saying gleefully: “I picked 16 notes”.

BJ will be favorites to pick a slot for the national FA cup as they head into their semi-final tie against De Leo FC on Friday. De Leo, featuring former Nigeria junior international goal keeper Ambrose Vanzekin pipped Rollys FC in the quarter final clash played earlier in the day at the same venue.

In the last quarter final tie of Wednesday, Sunsel FC, an amateur league club based in Oghara, Delta State, won 5-3 on penalties against Dynamo Academicals FC of Benin City. It was a keenly contested affair between both sides that saw two well taken strikes.

2015 Edo FA Cup highest goal scorer Francis Ikpomwonsa put Dynamo ahead midway into the first half after creating some space down the left, just inside the box to fire home.

Sunsel fought back spiritedly and won a penalty late in the first period when Dynamo goalkeeper misjudged the flight of the ball from a cross deep into his 6-yard box and punched the head of an onrushing Sunsel attacker.

The penalty kick was however saved by the goalkeeper who made amends for his error.

The game was largely a ding-dong affair but Sunsel equalised late in the match with a snap shot inside the Dynamo 18.

In the ensuing shootout, Ikpomwonsa fell from hero to villain as kick, Dynamo’s 4th, was palmed away by the Sunsel ’keeper. Dynamo midfielder Esosa Milanki then stepped forward and found his kick well saved.

Sunsel scored all four kicks they played.

•Photo shows BJ Foundation players line-up.

Source Daily Sports

Posted April 25, 2019

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