BY Idris Shehu
Rivers United defeated Bendel Insurance 3-2 to qualify for the main draw of the Naija Super 8 competition.
The Pride of Rivers were a step ahead of the 2023 Federation Cup champions in the south-south zonal play-off played at the Eket Township Stadium on Sunday.
In the five-goal thriller, United took the lead in the 10th minute through Albert Korvah. But Monghara Dede equalised for Insurance from the penalty spot in the 45th minute.
A close-range tap-in from Korvah restored United’s lead early in the second half.
Insurance’s Okon Ini-Obong then scored a clinical volley from the edge of the box to peg the match at two all.
The game looked destined for penalties until Insurance’s Daniel Ogungbe heckled an opposition down in his goal area. United were awarded a penalty and Morice Chukwu converted the spot kick to seal the victory for Rivers United.
Earlier, Kastina United stunned Kano Pillars 1-0 and earned the north-west ticket to the competition.
On Saturday, Enyimba were the better team against Heartland to qualify for the Naija Super 8.
Murphy Ndukwe’s 25th-minute strike was the vital difference in the south-east zonal play-off.
Also, Yobe Stars upset Gombe United with a 2-1 scoreline to secure the north-east zone ticket.
On Friday, Remo Stars grabbed their berth in the tourney with a 3-0 thrashing of Shooting Stars in the south-west zonal play-off.
Lobi Stars picked the ticket to represent the north-central zone by defeating City FC of Abuja 4-3 on penalties after a thrilling match.
TheCable had reported the play-off winners would go on to represent their zones in the Naija Super 8 scheduled to hold between July 7 and July 16 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos.
The six zonal representatives would be joined by two wildcard teams to be decided by the organisers.
Former Super Eagles players will mentor the final eight teams to qualify for the competition.
The mentors are Tijani Babangida, Mutiu Adepoju, Ike Shorunmu, Jonathan Akpoborie, Garba Lawal, Austin Eguavoen, Victor Ezeji and Julius Aghahowa.
The tourney winners will go home with N25 million, and the runner-up will get N9 million, while teams earn N3 million per game.
RESULTS
Remo Stars 3-0 Shooting Stars
Lobi 2-2 City FC of Abuja (Lobi won 4-3 on penalties)
Enyimba 1-0 Heartland
Yobe Stars 2-1 Gombe United
River United 3-2 Bendel Insurance
Kastina United 1-0 Kano Pillars
QUALIFIED TEAMS
Remo Stars
Lobi Stars
Enyimba
Yobe Stars
Rivers United
Kastina United
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