Okrika set to defend Governor’s Cup

Football | Nigeria

Okrika in action © Shengolpix

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Okrika coach, Blessing Iyo has said his target is the podium dance at the ongoing Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) sponsored Rivers State Governor’s Cup in the state capital, Port Harcourt.
The Cup holders on Monday subdued hard-fighting Degema 2-0 in the quarterfinals at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt.
Okrika will on Wednesday at same venue fenced off the expected stiff challenge from last year’s quarterfinalists, Oyigbo in the first semifinal for a place in the final of the foremost annual grassroots football showpiece.

Iyo said though his wards started poorly the campaign to defend their title he insisted that the side have discovered their winning mentality and will not look back until they claim a successive title on November 8.
“I know we didn’t start off well but right now we’re beginning to get better with every other game and as it stands now our focus is on the crown and we’ll stop at nothing until we claim the title for two successive years.
“Degema are a good side, they created some panic moments for us but I thank God we survived their challenge.
“I’m sure we’ll be better against Oyigbo in the semifinals on Wednesday,” Iyo said to supersport.com.
Eleme coach, Emmanuel Essien whose wards shocked last year’s quarterfinalists, Opobo/Nkoro 5-4 on penalties after full time score stood at 1-1 said his side were lucky to have survived the tough challenges of their opponents.
“We’re fortunate to have got a win in the pulsating quarterfinal clash. It was a difficult game, Opobo/Nkoro are a very good side. We see our victory and progression to the semifinals as an act of God and we won’t disappoint our supporters in the remaining matches,” Essien said to supersport.com.
Other quarterfinal encounters showed that Oyigbo pipped Bonny 1-0 while Khana edged last year’s finalists, Ahoada West 1-0.
In the semifinals on Wednesday at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt titleholders, Okrika will tackle Oyigbo in the first fixture of the day while Eleme will square up against Khana to determine who head to the final due for Friday, November 8.