By Our Reporter
Egor, Oredo 1, Oredo 2 and Ovia North East have booked their places in the semi-finals of the maiden Benin Unity Cup, after an action-packed Match Day 3 that delivered goals, grit and late twists across both groups.
The fixtures, held last Friday at the Crescent Sports Club, Irhirhi, provided a decisive shift in the race for the last four, with teams battling fiercely to keep their campaign alive.
Ikpoba Okha kicked off proceedings with a commanding 3–0 win over Uhunmwode, a result that leaves them within touching distance of qualification. Daniel Julius opened the scoring in the 34th minute with a composed finish before Terngu Ushafa doubled the lead six minutes later. Julius returned late on to secure his brace and seal a dominant performance.
The second match of the day saw Oredo 1 and Orhionmwon cancel each other out in a cagey goalless draw. Despite flashes of attacking intent from both sides, neither could find the decisive touch in what was arguably the most tactical encounter of the tournament so far.
Drama unfolded in the third fixture as Oredo 2 were awarded three points and three goals after Ovia South West failed to arrive within the mandatory 30-minute grace period stipulated by the tournament rules.
The final game — Egor versus Ovia North East, originally postponed, was played on Tuesday morning, producing one of the most thrilling contests yet. The six-goal thriller ended 3–3, with both sides displaying attacking flair and resilience.
Nwaigwe gave Egor an early lead in the seventh minute, but Ovia North East responded swiftly, with Ane Elvis levelling in the 11th minute before firing home again in the 34th minute to complete his brace. Victory Ehigboche extended their advantage to 3–1 before half-time.
Egor stormed back into the contest early in the second half as Ojelum Ernest struck twice in quick succession, scoring a penalty kick in the 42nd minutes and a brace in 46th minute to restore parity.
The result confirmed Egor and Ovia North East as Group A’s top two with five points each, securing their places in the semi-finals. In Group B, Oredo 2 and Oredo 1 also progressed with five points apiece.
The semi-final matches will be played on Saturday, 13 December 2025. Egor will take on Oredo 1 in the first fixture, while Oredo 2 will face Ovia North East in the second clash, with both winners advancing to the grand finale.
Sponsored by Senator Neda Imasuen, the Benin Unity Cup continues to promote youth empowerment, foster community unity and provide talented young players with a platform to showcase their abilities and pursue professional opportunities at home and abroad.
Moshood Karim is the Media Aide to Senator Neda Imasuen
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