AKFA Cup: FC ONE Rockets fly past Regnant Academy to book semi-final spot
FC ONE Rockets were 2-0 victors over Regnant Football Academy to reach the semi-final of the 2023 Akwa Ibom State FA Cup.
A goal in each half of the match at the Practice pitch of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Uyo was enough for The Indomitables to book a semi-final date vs Vandrezzer FC.
THE GAME
From the blast of Referee Akaniyene Udoette’s whistle for kick-off, it was the Coach Ndubuisi Ndah tutored Rockets who dominated proceedings at the Practice pitch of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
Three minutes into the game, FC ONE Rockets had the ball in the net but it will not count as Assistant referee two Nsikakabasi Akpan flagged for Offside.
The Nigeria National League side continued to press the young Regnant Academy lads and got a deserved breakthrough in the 15th minute.
Imam Bala outwitted the challenge of three defenders before firing a powerful shot past the Regnant goalie from an acute angle for 1-0.
The remaining minutes of the half did not produce any goal as both teams tango-ed in the midfield until the half-time break.
Regnant Academy returned for the second half more lively than the first but there was no real threat on the Rockets goal, goalkepeer David Essien enjoying a rest-day as the youngsters struggled to go past the Solomon Boyo marshalled back-line.
FC ONE Rockets did double their lead in the 70th minute after Clinton Jephta tapped in a rebound following Harrison Ebah’s fierce shot.
2-0 and surely another Akwa Ibom State FA cup semi-final spot for FC ONE Rockets, that was the size of the package as both teams rarely threatened to add to the score-line until the full-time whistle.
It finished FC ONE Rockets 2-0 Regnant Football Academy.
FC ONE Rockets will now face fellow Nigeria National League side Vandrezzer Football Club in the second semi-final at the Eket Stadium on Wednesday March 15, 2023.
Akwa Ibom State FA Cup defending champions Akwa United FC will take on Dakkada FC in the first semi-final on Tuesday March 14 at the Eket Stadium by 4pm.
