Nigeria National League (NNL) side, Adoration Football Club yesterday defeated Star plus (ngwo) 1-0 in the semi-final stage of the ongoing State FA/Aieto Cup at the Rangers International Training Pitch, Liberty Estate, Independence Layout.

Recall that both sides qualified to this stage of the competition via penalties, as the second-tier league side, Adoration FC defeated Ingas FC (new haven) 3-2, after the two sides have played out 1-1 at regulation time while another NNL team, Giant Brilliars were not so lucky as Star plus sealed qualification spot 2-3 on the day.

The first 45 mins ended in a stalemate despite both sides displaying excellent defensive coordination, good ball distribution from the midfield and creating attacking opportunities but lacked the cutting edge and composure in front of goal.

On resumption of the interval, both teams had to introduced fresh legs in their teams so as to unsettling each other defensively. It was Alexander Bright’s goal for the Catholic Outfit which broke the deadlock midway through the second stanza, as he headed home from a freekick inside the penalty area to give his side the slight advantage.

As the game gradually wines down, the technical crew of the former enugu state league champion had to take more risks, threw more players forward in search for an equaliser but for the reflexes and articulation of the Adoration FC, goalkeeper which protected their lead till the final whistle.

Speaking with newsmen after the pulsating encounter, an excited Chief Coach of Adoration FC, Ency Enie applauded his opponent for their resilience and good football artistry, adding that the goal came at the appropriate time.

However, with this result Adoration FC have qualified as one of the teams that would representative enugu at this year’s edition of the Aieto/federation Cup but will square up against Enugu Rangers who were drawn bye in the final to determine the state champion in a date yet to fixed by the state football association.