The Nigeria National League (NNL) side, Bayelsa United lifted this year’s coveted Aiteo Cup at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Edo State on Sunday.
They roundly defeated another Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, Nasarawa United 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation time.
On other hand, Bayelsa Queens knocked out Robo Queens 4-2 in the women’s category to lift the trophy.
The Bayelsa United vs Nasarawa United game was played under floodlight with all four goals scored in the first half of the encounter.
Okardi Inikurogha shots the Restoration Boys into the lead in the 19th minute but the Solid Miners leveled scores a minute later through Chinedu Ohanachom. Aliyu Abdullahi makes it 2-1 in the 26th minute Nasarawa United before Emo James equalised in the 36th minute for Bayelsa.
The second half produced no goal as the game was decided on penalties. Interestingly both side replaced their goalkeepers before the spot-kicks.
This is the first time in recent times two teams from the same state will be playing in the final of the Aiteo Cup in Nigeria.
Bayelsa United was founded in 2000 and made history in 2009 when they won the NPFL title after Ocean Boys did so in 2006.
In the same year, they made it to the semifinals of Africa’s most prestigious club tournament, the CAF Champions league.
Founded in 1999, the company operated under the name Sigmund Communnecci Limited.
The company name was changed to Aiteo during a rebranding exercise. The new brand signifies not only a change in name but a change in culture and strategy to propel the company to new heights.
