Nigeria Premier League side, Heartland FC of Owerri, and Bendel Insurance of Benin have crashed out in the Round of 64 of the AITEO Cup.
After a nervy season in the Nigeria Professional Football League, the Naze Millionaires were sent packing from the AITEO Cup by less-fancied Confine FC, who defeated them on 4-2 penalty kicks after the regulation time ended one goal apiece.
In other matches played on Sunday, Remo Stars Feeders dumped out Insurance of Benin by a lone goal, Akwa United walloped Hope of Glory FC by seven goals to nil, FC IfeanyiUbah thrashed Nyang Sagwang by 5-1, Kano Pillars survived Ugwa FC’s scare in five-goal thriller.
Abia Warriors handed Smart FC a 2-1 defeat, Enyimba dazed Alebelewe by three unreplied goals, just as Osun United landed in the Round of 32, courtesy their 2-1 win over Minda FC.
Meanwhile, head coach of Kogi United, Tunde Abdulrahman, has expressed delight over his side’s performance in their 4-0 romp of Igho FC of Delta State in the Round 64 encounter of 2018 Aiteo Cup competition on Sunday in Akure.
Coach Abdulrahman who described the victory as a good way to start the oldest football competition in the country, said his boys played as expected just as he blamed the change in the kickoff as reason for not giving more especially in the second half.
The former Wikki Tourists’ gaffer however expressed optimism that his team would improve their performance ahead of next round.
He said: “I feel very delighted with the way played and get the job done quickly. It was as planned and I really commend my players for their performance. It showed they are really dedicated to achieve something good this season.
“We are supposed to score more, especially in the second half, but the boys looked fatigued. You know its being a while they played competitive games and with change in our kickoff time, but it was a good way to begin this competition. I don’t want to set a target because I don’t want to put the boys under unnecessary pressure but I’m hopeful we will do well this time with improved performance.”