Ifeanyi Ubah Wins 2017 Charity Cup

FC IfeanyiUbah beat Enugu Rangers with ten-man 4-3 on penalties at the Abuja National Stadium on Wednesday to lift the 2017 Nigerian Charity Cup, a contest between the league champions and Federation Cup winners. New arrival Prince Aggreh converted the decisive kick for the Federation Cup winners.

Kick-off was delayed for 37 minutes following the late arrival of sports minister, Solomon Dalung, and both sides could not be separated after 90 minutes of exciting football with penalties needed to determine the winner.

FC IfeanyiUbah started the game on the strong foot, carving out the first chance of the game in the sixth minute which was promptly saved by Nana Bonsu. Rangers took time to settle into the game and came close to scoring the opener through centre-back, Pape Ousmane, in the 28th minute but his header narrowly missed target. FC IfeanyiUbah captain, Adeleye Olamilekan, the young brother of former Super Eagles defender Dele Adeleye was replaced by Stephen Eze on 32 minutes after sustaining an injury.

A minute later, the Anambra Warriors were reduced to 10 men when Guinean defender Kojo Baah was sent off for a second bookable offence. Despite their numerical disadvantage, the Anambra Warriors dominated possession after the break, pinning Rangers into their own half for most of the half. They nearly scored the winner through Prince Aggreh 18 minutes from time after the former Kano Pillars man was set up by substitute Seka Pascal.

The game went into the penalties after both teams failed to find the winning goal. FC IfeanyiUbah converted four of their spot kicks with Cameroon midfielder Tamen Medrano the only IfeanyiUbah player that failed to hit the back of the net, while Christian Madu and Afeez Awakan missed for Rangers.