Aiteo Cup: Gateway United beat Wikki Tourists after penalty kicks

Gateway United Football Club of Abeokuta in Enugu on Wednesday defeated 2020/2021 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side Wikki Tourists of Bauchi 4-3 after a penalty kicks shootout.

The victory was in a Round of 16 fixture of the 2021 Men’s Aiteo Cup Competition, with the match played at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.

Gateway United, a 2020/2021 Nigeria National League (NNL) side, won the penalty kicks shootout after a goalless ending to 90 minutes of play.

The second-tier league side, which defeated current 2020/2021 NPFL leaders Akwa United of Uyo 1-0 in the Round of 32 last week, have now advanced to the competition’s quarter-finals.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gateway United will now face Bayelsa United.

Speaking after the match on Wednesday, Gateway United’s coach Hakeem Busari said the win was a mission accomplished.

“I give credit to the players. However, we could have won the match before the interval.

“We missed several goalscoring chances. Thank God we won at last.”

He contended that Gateway United were in the competition to make a statement because “the competition has no respect for teams”.

Busari said the competition “requires attitude and character because it is not a league.”

“A trophy is at stake in this competition and that is the scenario that just played out this evening.

“This kind of result exemplifies the uniqueness of the Cup competition.

“Though, there are rough roads in front but we are not going to give up until we actualise our target of playing in the final,” he said.

NAN reports that the quarter-finals pairings will see Kano Pillars facing Sunshine Stars of Akure, while Rivers United will go against Niger Tournadoes of Minna.

Also, Nasarawa United will take on Gombe United.