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By Amaechi Agbo

Despite losing 3-1 to Yobe Desert Stars in the Aiteo/FA Cup Round of 63 in Abuja, Aspire Football Club coach, Obinna Ama Have expressed confidence in the ability of his players going forward.

Aspire FC, an Anambra based club who play in the Nigeria Nationwide League, NLO on Sunday at the FIFA Goal project, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja bowed to the superior firepower of Nigeria National League, NNL side , Yobe Desert Stars in a 2021 Aiteo cup round of 64 game.

The encounter saw the Anambra state champions show glimpses of their ability and creativity as Okezia Umenwa gave the fans something to cheer about with a 35-yard screamer in the 20th minute to level scores after Yobe Deserts Stars have taken the lead in the 16th minute of the game through Obinna Ukwu.

With the first half ending all square, the second phase began on an even explosive pace with the lads from Anambra asking all the questions.

Yobe Stars went ahead again in the contest thanks to a sublime finish by Jonathan Jacob in the 53rd minute.

Dauda Martins of Yobe Deserts Stars put the icing on the cake to take the game away from Aspire FC with another goal in the 71st minute to make the encounter 1-3.

Aspire Fc fought hard to come back with the attacking duo of John Bassey and Okezia Aguero Umenwa troubling the Yobe Stars but the more experienced team from Damaturu stood their ground.

The victory takes Yobe Stars to the round of 32 of AITEO Cup where they will play Lobi Stars of Makurdi.

Speaking after the match, Aspire FC Coach Obinna Ama said he was not disappointed with the result of the match adding that despite the clash coming so soon to them, the boys have a good account of themselves.

“I am not disappointed because it is a game. Something is at stake, if we had won this match, we would have entered (the next round).

“It is a game. I thank God because my boys were able to showcase themselves and they played very well. Losing by 3-1 is a game.

“Although the match was sudden to us, we did our best but we thank God for the good play of the boys.

“God knows why it happened like this. The plan is to go back and be equipped more than this so that any competition we have, we will be able to do more than this.”