Naija Super 8 Zonal Playoffs: Yobe Desert Stars stun Gombe Utd as Enyimba pip Heartland
NNL outfit Yobe Desert Stars secured the first shock of the Naija Super 8 tournament as they defeated NPFL side Gombe United 2-1 in the North-East Zonal Playoffs.
After Lobi Stars luckily escaped a shock loss on Day One, Gombe United succumbed in the North-East Playoffs. Tony Elaigwu opened the scoring for Yobe Desert Stars with a fine volley in the 39th minute before Shaibu Adam doubled their tally from close range in added time after the Gombe United keeper spilled a shot into his path.
The Savannah Scorpions pulled one back in the 52nd minute through Samuel Ogunjimi. They failed to score a second as the NNL side held on for the win to qualify for the Naija Super 8 proper in Lagos.
In the day’s other match, Enyimba edged Oriental rivals Heartland 1-0 in a meeting between two of Nigeria’s most successful sides. Reigning NPFL champions Enyimba missed a host of chances against their opponents and five-time NPFL champions Heartland, but ultimately won the game via a Murphy Ndukwu volley in the 25th minute.
Enyimba and Yobe Desert Stars will now join Lobi Stars and Remo Stars in the tournament proper in Lagos next month.
