Day two started with a group A game between Rivers United and debutants, Patriots FC of Enugu and Ali Chinwendu’s second half penalty goal proved decisive as the Pride of Rivers ran out 1-0 winners.
With the result, the Port Harcourt based side, losing finalists at the maiden edition last year not only advanced to the semi finals but also topped group A which has only three teams following the late withdrawal of defending champions, FC Ifeanyi Ubah .
Another Port Harcourt based side, SKE will now battle it out with the Patriots on Tuesday to decide who joins Rivers United in the last four.
Group A Results so far
Rivers United 2-1 SKE
Patriots 0-1 Rivers United
Tuesday 6th November
SKE vs Patriots 10am
Group B
Group B is really where the action is with two NPFL sides, and two domestic teams struggling for the two available slots.
After day two, Abia Warriors of Umuahia lead the park with four points followed by Cynosure FC on three, Heartland on two and Ebonyi Professionals on one point.
What makes the group very interesting is that any of the four teams, mathematically still have the chance to advance to the semi finals.
After drawing 0-0 with Heartland of Owerri, on day one, Abia Warriors beat Cynosure of Abakaliki 2-0 at the Pa Ngele Oruta Stadium to top the group.
It was a highly physical game but early goal from Nwuju Stanley and a late penalty converted by Shedrack Asiegbu settled some frayed nerves in the Umuahia Warriors bench led by Adenrele Moses.
The surprise came when Ebonyi Professionals held Heartland goalless meaning that the Naze Millionaires are the only team yet to score in this competition.
Today, Heartland must score and beat Cynosure to stand a chance of progressing while the home team needs just a draw to make hay.
For Abia Warriors, they also have their fate in their own hands and must hold their own against Ebonyi Professionals who would be desperate to cause an upset and advance.
Group B results so far;
Cynosure 2-1 Ebonyi Professionals
Heartland 0-0 Abia Warriors
Abia Warriors 2-0 Cynosure
Ebonyi Professionals 0-0 Heartland
Tuesday 6th November
Ebonyi Professionals vs Abia Warriors 2pm
Cynosure vs Heartland 4pm
Goal Scorers So Far
2 Goals
Adelani Adeseun [Rivers United]
1 Goal
Ebere Akaka [SKE]
Uche Martins [Cynosure]
Ibe Peter [Cynosure]
Ali Chiwendu [Rivers United]
Hyacinth Nwankwegu [Ebonyi Professionals]
Nwuju Stanley [Abia Warriors]
Shedrack Asiegbu [Abia Warriors]
