The Delta North Football Coaches Council Tournament christened Anioma Nations Cup enters week 3 this weekend with interesting clashes billed for the various centers across the Delta North Senatorial District as clubs struggle for survival.
With Raiders FC Asaba, Visionaries FC Ogwashi Uku and Ihuyase FC Alihamen all but qualified already for the next round following their 100% start to the Campaign.
Raiders FC defeated Mimi FC with three unreplied goals to top Asaba Group B with 6 points with a game to spare. Visionaries FC Ogwashi Uku also has 6 points from two matches after a 2-0 defeat of Rising Stars at the Ogwashi Uku Zone.
Over at Agbor, Ihuyase took Winners FC to the cleaners with a 5-2 win to top the Agbor Zone with 6 points. They Opened a 4 point gap over defending champions Big Daddy FC who forced Agbor United to a 1-1 draw. Big Daddy had to leave it late into the game to level scores making it their second consecutive 1-1 draws after forcing Winners FC to a draw in week 1.
Alika FC opened their campaign with a 1-0 win over Bright stars at the Adiagbo Secondary School ground which put paid to Bright Stars chances of qualification haven lost their opening fixtures with similar scoreline to Rising Stars.
Red velvet of Okpanam also opened their campaign with a lone goal against Five Stars at the Saint Mulumba ground.
” It was a tough game, we are lucky to win in the end but I hope my boys will step up in the coming games to see us qualify” Coach Kester Ogor said after the victory
Meanwhile the 2-1 victory for Sowers FC over Mega Stars has thrown qualifications in the Asaba group A open. as all the teams now have 3 points going into the last fixtures in Group A this weekend. While the 2-0 Victory for Santos FC over Royals has also set the group open with three teams on three points each.
*Do or Die battles this weekend*
According to fixtures released by the LOC chairman Coach Patrick Okeleke there are mouth watering fixtures coming up at various centers as teams try to seal their qualifications into the next round.
Over at Agbor Zone, Agbor United will face off with Rivals Winners FC, both sides are tied with 1 point each and a win could see any of them qualify either as second place or best loser depending on the result between Ihuyase and Big Daddy. The tie between Ihuyase and Big Daddy will also draw attention as a lose for the defending champion could see them out of the tournament.
The matches at the ASABA Zone A and B will also attract attention as Teams fight for survival and qualification.
Dubbins FC top group A with four points and will play against De Kings FC who are second with 3 points in a winner take all. Meanwhile Annayounns with 3 points face off with bottom placed Texas who are with just 1 point. All 4 teams in group A still have a chance to qualify with a win depending on what happens in other matches.
With Raiders already Certain of Qualification haven amassed 6 points from two matches, Sowers will need to win to book a place in the second round thus setting up a clash of titans at the St. Mulumba ground Okpanam. Mimi FC has a chance also to qualify should they outscore Mega Star FC.
The clash between Santos FC and Red Velvet is another interesting fixtures bookmakers are looking forward to. Both sides have 3 points and would want to consolidate their position. Meanwhile NYSC returns to action with a tie against Royal FC, NYSC has 3 points and are currently second in ASABA Group C while Royal FC are rock bottom with just 1 solitary point.
Top 2 from each group will qualify for the round of 16 along with four best losers.
