Just a day after grappling with and overcoming Usman Abdallah's Kano Pillars side in the Quarterfinals of the ongoing Gusau/Ahlan Pre-season Tournament, Mbwas Mangut comes head-to-head once again with a familiar foe, former Technical Adviser of Plateau United Football Club, Abdul Fagge Maikaba, in the semifinal of the competition.
This provided Wikki Tourists an opportunity to vie for a place in the competition's final against the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) contenders, Plateau United Football Club, in Jos.
As expected, there were sustained moments of tactical ingenuity at both ends, but two key moments defined the course of the game.
In the second half, Plateau United pinned their opposition at the edge of the area, completing quick inter-passes with Alex Enejo combining alongside Victor Dawa and Mafeng Badung to provide Mancha Sabbath with the opportunity to float in a cross. Sadiq Adamu launched a header that struck the woodwork, but David Onovo was on hand to finish, scoring the opening goal.
Nentaka Bangs, also known as Dembele, led the assault for Wikki Tourists of Bauchi, completing some ferocious forward-thinking combinations and finishing with exquisite calm and finesse to leave the scores at 1-1, forcing the game into a penalty shootout and subsequently earning the man-of-the-match title at the culmination of the game.
Plateau United's Adewale Adeyinka stopped a penalty during the shootout, but it was not enough to stop a Wikki Tourists side whose goalkeeper denied the Peace Boys several spot-kick conversions to win and secure a place in the final of the competition. This victory provides Abdul Fagge Maikaba an opportunity to face off against Lobi Stars of Makurdi, who beat Nasarawa United 3-0 in the other semifinal game.
The buildup continues for the Peace Boys, who will look to ensure that the disappointment of their semifinal exit is used as motivation ahead of the upcoming season.
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