We tell about 4 Wildcard stage matches at the largest Nigerian amateur football tournament on September 9-10.
Bethel Sporting FC v Wasola FC, 1-0
Bethel Sporting FC lost the 1st place in Group A due to the defeat in the last clash against Gunners Link FC, but in the end, they used the second chance at the Wildcard stage and made it to the top eight. This team knew Wasola FC's weaknesses. They had already played this opponent in the group and won 4-1. The struggle for the quarterfinals proved to be tougher, but Bethel Sporting FC again beat Wasola FC thanks to Kadri Olanrewaju's only goal in the 24th minute.
Dosu Joseph FC v Collins Edwin SC, 1-1; penalty shootout - 1-2
Dosu Joseph FC finished their Group B performance with a win over reigning champions SB LFC. After such success, the squad expected to triumph at the Wildcard stage as well. Dosu Joseph FC led most of the match due to Michael Ede's goal in the 31st minute. However, Eke Light scored in the 88th minute, and the regular time ended with the same result as their game in the group - 1-1. The penalty shootout was the goalkeepers’ finest hour, as they allowed the players to succeed with only 3 shots. In the end, Collins Edwin SC won 2-1.
Ighalo FA v Emiloju FC, 0-1
Experts and fans keep considering Ighalo FA as the favorite against Emiloju FC. But the underdog has found an antidote to the 1xBet Cup 2023 finalist and won with the same score as in the group C struggle. Daniel John netted the only goal in the 29th minute, which brought Emiloju FC to the quarterfinals. Ighalo FA can only lament the leaders’ absence - the best scorer, Fawas Yusuf, and the most valuable player, Justice Ohanusi. Captain Emmanuel Inah and king of speed Dennis Kingsley did their best but failed to help Ighalo FA to repeat its success.
36 Lion FC v Diadem Stallion FC, 0-0, penalty shootout - 4-5
Diadem Stallion FC secured the 3rd place in group D only in the last match. Few people believed in this team at the Wildcard stage, but they learned lessons from the previous struggle with the favorite. In Group 36, Lion FC won 2-0 thanks to Seun Lawal’s double, but on September 10, Diadem Stallion FC stopped both the recognized goalscorer and his partners. The regular time in the intense clash ended with no goals being scored. In the penalty shootout, Diadem Stallion FC succeeded with all of its shots and won 5-4. Although 36 Lion FC counted on goalkeeper Samuel Oriola, who earned a reputation as a specialist in handling 11-meter penalties, the opponents were better.
What’s next at the 1xBet Cup Nigeria
All 8 quarterfinal participants are known:
SB LFC
Gunners Link FC
Emaljus FC
Dominion Hotspur FC
Bethel Sporting FC
Collins Edwin SC
Emiloju FC
Diadem Stallion FC
The playoff schedule:
Quarterfinals - September 16 and 17
Semifinals - September 19
Final and the match for 3rd place - September 26
Remember that this year at the 1xBet Cup Nigeria, the game between the squads that lost in the semifinals will not just be a consolation final. After the first tournament's success, 1xBet was convinced of its social mission importance and now wants to invest in grassroots football in Nigeria. The best bookmaker in Africa has increased the bonuses and the number of teams sharing the 1xBet Cup prize money in Nigeria.
10,000,000 NGN for the winner
5,000,000 NGN for the finalist
3,000,000 NGN for the third prize winner
The competition for individual awards
Seun Lawal (36 Lion FC), Ayato Akindele (Dosu Joseph FC), Okechukwu Nwanna (Bethel Sporting FC), and Wasiu Yaya (Emaljus FC) lead the strikers’ race with 4 goals. However, as their teams have been relegated, the first two footballers have slim chances to compete for 300,000 NGN in prize money for the 1xBet Cup 2024 best scorer. The most valuable player and the best coach at the 1xBet Cup Nigeria 2024 will also receive 300,000 NGN each.
A total of 98 goals were scored in 44 matches. The goalkeepers worked brilliantly so that the average performance of the Wildcard stage was only 1 goal per game. We remind you that the tournament's best goalkeeper will also share the 1xBet Cup prize money in Nigeria and receive 250,000 NGN. According to 1xBet, the Nigerian grassroots football development policy should encourage not only team but also individual achievements.
Take part in supporting grassroots football in Nigeria and support your favorite at the stadium in the decisive playoff matches! The final is coming, so don't forget to visit the tournament website for detailed information about the results, game schedule, and the latest news of the participating squads.
