Men’s Round Up: Kaduna pepper wasteful Delta as Yinka’s stunner wins it for Oyo in 5-goal thriller

Victor Kish was the hero in the first semifinal as his last minutes gasp helped Kaduna to beat Delta to book their place in the final.

Having won all their games leading into the semifinal with ease, Kaduna found a good test in Delta State men team.

It was the toughest the Kaduna boys have played in a while. After enjoying a good spell of possession in the early minutes of the game Kaduna drew the first blood through James Samaila.

The goal was scored in the 9th minute from a penalty corner. James Samaila pounced on a ball pushed straight to him by Delta goalie for the lead.

At half time Samaila’s goal was the difference. The third quarter was again an end to end action but in the fourth quarter, Delta came out with full force and intent to win the game.

After missing three clear cut chances, Delta equalized in the 56th minute through Adamson Edward. It was all Delta from then on, they had two more chances to take the lead and win the game but fluffed their lines.

Against run off play and with the game heading for the shootout, Kaduna got the winning goal. It was Victor Kish who scored the goal with the last touch of the game.

With just two passes and four touches, Kaduna peppered Delta who would blame themselves for their missed chances. A pass found a Kaduna player on the left flank, he sent it into the “d” where unmarked Victor Kish was waiting, he stopped the ball and sent his shot into the the net for the winner.

The second semifinal ended in a dramatic fashion like the first game. After goalless 30 minutes of action, Plateau took the lead in the 33rd minute through Isa Kyari.

Sunday Emmanuel equalised for Oyo State with his fourth goal of the tournament. Isa Kyari doubled his tally in the 41st minute but Faluyi Ezekiel drew Oyo level in the 44th minute to set up a pulsating final quarter.

The fans and bench of both teams were on the edge of their seats in the final quarter. Both teams gave it their all but it was Oyo who scored the winner with the last second gasp.

After receiving a pass from Tosin, Yinka drove in and ‘shabashed’ his ball to the top corner to send the crowd wild. After the goal the umpire sounded his whistle to end the game.