Lugbe Stun All Stars As Quarterfinal Line-Up Takes Shape At Abuja Invitational
In a thrilling twist at the Abuja All Stars International Invitational Tournament, Lugbe All Stars pulled off the upset of the round, knocking out heavyweights All Stars International in a dramatic round of 16 encounter.
Despite boasting ex-internationals like Taiwo Enegwa, Patrick Paschal, and the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, All Stars International were left shell-shocked after a penalty shootout heartbreak.
They took an early lead and looked set to cruise, but Lugbe, who barely scraped through the group stage, had other ideas.
Down to 10 men, Lugbe clawed their way back into the game with sheer grit.
A controversial penalty initially saved, then retaken due to the goalkeeper stepping off his line levelled the scores. In the shootout, Lugbe held their nerve to clinch a 3-2 win and send the star-studded favourites packing for the second year running.
Elsewhere, it was one-way traffic.
All Stars New Karu breezed past NNPC 3-0, while USF All Stars thumped Capital City Club by the same margin.
The defending champions, Ex-Professionals, had a tougher task, needing penalties to edge past Corporate Kickers SC after a goalless draw.
With the quarterfinals now set, the Abuja football jungle is thinning fast. Only the fearless remain, and the race for the crown has never been more intense.
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