Edel FC, shook off their NNL woeful performances belt and fought desperately for redemption in their semi final battle against Ozalla Football Academy in the 2025 Neros Pharmaceuticals/ANSFA President Cup.
The Nigeria National League side, today defeated Ozalla Football Academy 3-1 on penalty kicks in the second semi final match of the 2025 NEROS/ANSFA Cup at the NEROS Stadium, Nanka, after a scoreless regulation time stalemate.
The result means that come Sunday, 23 February, 2025, the final of the 2025 NEROS/ANSFA Cup will be between two NNL sides, Solution FC and Edel FC, just as it was last year, 2024.
To reach the final, title holders, Solution FC, on Tuesday humbled Peace FC 4-1 to seal their place in the final.
Wednesdays second semi final tie was one presented to Ozalla FA on a platter of gold following the sending off of one of their players in the first half.
But the Academy boys failed to make their numerical advantage count even as they bossed their 10-man Edel but could not get their acts together in the final third.
Though Ozalla was later to be reduced to 10-men after their striker was handed a second yellow card, Ozalla wasted too many glorious opportunities including a late burst from the right and a square pass inside the six-yard box but their attacker dragged his effort wide of post to the consternation of the spectators.
During the penalty kicks, Edel had their second kick saved by Ozalla goalkeeper but the Coach Uche Sabbath boys failed to take the advantage.
Hamza Abdulazeez Abara, Head Coach of Edel, was full of praises to Almighty Allah for the victory and opportunity to play in the NEROS/ANSFA Cup just days after taking up the team’s coaching job.
“I’m happy for this victory today. I thank Almighty Allah because I’ve just joined the club and now have the opportunity of playing in the NEROS/ANSFA Cup Final.
“Ozalla gave us a tough fight. I couldn’t imagine that this is an Academy team. They are just too good”, Coach Abara confessed.
Sunday’s final could just be a replay of the 2024 edition of the Cup final involving both teams which Solution won in their very first attempt.
