Debutants Gombe United have zoomed to the final of the Ogunjobi Gold Cup 8th edition after they stung Remo Stars 7-6 on penalties in the first semi-final tie played at the Kwara Sports Complex, Ilorin on Wednesday morning.
It was end-to-end football from both teams, but Remo Stars were lucky not to have lost the game from open play when the ball beat their goalkeeper to hit the crossbar in the second half.
Both teams tried to match themselves size for size in the first half as there was no clear cut chances for either to score the opening goal.
The second 45 minutes proved to be the better half as in the one hour mark, Gombe United attacking midfielder Arinze Oyota was unlucky not to have scored the first goal of the game after he hit a long-range cannon that rattled the crossbar.
It was a brilliant moment for Barnabas Daniel to score his third goal of the pre-season tourney in the 80th minute but his well-timed shot after he beat his marker was parried away by goalkeeper Kayode Bankole of Remo Stars.
With no team scoring a winning goal, penalty kicks were needed to decide which team progress to the final after the match officially signaled the end of the game after the 94th minute.
It was a thrilling penalty shoot-out with the players sending the goalkeepers the wrong way after five spot-kicks.
It was tension for Gombe United as goalkeeper Bankole almost made a save from their six penalty kick but the ball was fast enough to beat the goalie who went the right way.
It was hard luck joint top scorer of the Ogunjobi Gold Cup Yusuf, as he watched Gombe United shot-stopper, Abraham, save his penalty kick.
Captain of the Savannah Scorpions Chigozie made no mistake converting from the spot as his penalty took his team to Friday’s final.
Gombe United will lock horns on Friday, November 20, 2020, against the winner of the second semi-final Ilorin derby tie between ABS FC and Kwara United.
