TEAM NEWS

GoalKeeper: 1 - Clinton Lawani

Defenders: 5 - Aliu Salawudeen, 33 - Sodiq Yusuf, 2 - 20 - Femi Ladeinde.

Midfielders: 2 - Solomon Uloko, 15 - Jamil Muhammad, 8 - Abdulraheem Suleiman , 23 - Alabi Lasisi.

Forwards: 24 - Seun Akanji, 11 - Abdullahi Usman, 19 - Kelvin Unenge.

A LITANY OF ERRORS

Both teams were slow to find their rhythm, with possession changing hands frequently in the early stages. However, we posed the greater threat, as long balls over the Box2Box defence caused problems for the opposition. The first chance fell to Abdullahi after Abdulraheem's pressing created an opportunity, but his shot from the edge of the box was saved.

Both teams struggled with possession in the first half, but we created the better chances from turnovers. However, we failed to capitalise, allowing Box2Box to take the lead after an error by Aliu saw the ball fall to the Box2Box striker in the 12-yard area for an easy tap into the gaol.. We continued to apply pressure, forcing more mistakes from the unsettled Box2Box defensc, eventually equalizing through Abdullahi from one of these errors.

REDEMPTION FOR ALIU

The game was beginning to drift away with both teams throwing jabs, but none were significant. Clinton was in fine form between the sticks, gobbling up any ball into the box and coming up trims in 1-on-1 situations with the attackers. It wasn't until the 76th minute when Taiwo's ball into the box was deflected for a corner, which he delivers perfectly right onto of Aliu's head to nod past the keeper. With the game being in the balance, Box2Box moved from back to front quickly to catch Solomon out of position with a pass between he and Sodiq Yusuf to get in the penalty box and go 1-on-1 with the Clinton, but he went down very quickly to save the shot and keep us in the lead.

Aliu was involved in yet another goal as he played a good long pass over theBox2Box defence to Solomon who made a perfectly timed run, he controlled and volleyed it past the keeper to seal book our spot in the semi-final..

STANDOUT PERFORMERS

Abdulraheem Suleiman: he had an incredible game in midfield, winning possession for fun, skipping past players and finding passes easily. The opponents could not live with him.

Aliu Salawudeen: the skipper made a mistake early on for the goal we conceded but shrugged it off immediately, scoring a towering header and assisting Solomon’s goal.

Abdullahi Usman: he was very strong in all his duels, stretched the pitch well for the team and worked his socks off.

Solomon Uloko: He was bombing up and down the right flank all through the game. The winger on his side was forced to switch sides and he made a brilliant run in the closing stages of the game to seal our spot in the Semi-Finals with a well-taken goal..

Clinton Lawani: the goalkeeper was excellent between the sticks, he made a number of reflex saves in 1-v-1 situations to keep us ahead. He was also strong in claiming aerial crosses.

WHAT'S NEXT?

This quarter-final win means we will play one of First Bank, Inter Lagos and Ikorodu City/Seamoriow in the Semi-final this week.