FC Ipaye commenced their Bet9ja Foundation Ex-Internationals Cup quarter-final journey with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over FC Alloy at the Legacy Pitch on Thursday. Striker Taylor Adebayo delivered the crucial moment, finding the back of the net to provide the hosts with a vital lead. This goal served as a significant morale boost heading into halftime, leaving Ipaye with a slim yet important advantage for the return leg.
At the Maracana Arena, FC Enegwea achieved a crucial win, also by a score of 1-0 against FC Nieketien. Okpara Abraham broke the stalemate during a goalmouth scramble, reacting swiftly to give Enegwea the lead. This victory not only gives Enegwea an advantage but also ensures they head into the second leg with a clean sheet at the same venue on Friday.
Both first-leg matches were determined by narrow margins, with strong defensive strategies being pivotal for the victors. Ipaye and Enegwea capitalised on their opportunities, while Alloy and Nieketien struggled to equalise despite their determined efforts. These outcomes set the stage for two closely contested ties as they move into the next round.
With 1-0 results favouring the away team at Maracana and the home team at Legacy, the quarter-finals remain highly competitive. FC Alloy and FC Nieketien will seek to reverse their deficits in the second legs, while Ipaye and Enegwea will strive to maintain their leads and secure a spot in the semi-finals of the Bet9ja Foundation Ex-Internationals Cup.