Plenty of drama unfolded in Thursday’s 1XCup 2026 qualifiers as the likes of Tonic FC, Crystal FC, Mega 22 FC and Ighalo FA shone by winning their respective matches at the Inspire Sports Ground.
However, Mega 22 FC and Ighalo FA secured impressive victories, Crystal FC snatched a narrow win while Tonic FC survived a penalty shootout scare before triumphing.
The four 1XCup 2026 qualifying games played on Thursday produced nine goals in regulation time, with two teams winning by a three-goal margin.
Tonic FC 1-1 Vino Gano (Tonic FC win 5-4 on penalties)
Tonic FC secured their ticket to the next stage after a tense encounter against Vino Gano had ended 1-1 after regulation time, with one player scoring for both teams.
Tonic FC went ahead as early as the sixth minute through Vino Gano’s Gbadamosi Babatunde who scored an own goal.
The forward, however, went from villain to hero in the 61st minute after netting an equalising goal for Vino Gano, thereby, redeeming himself.
With neither side able to find a decisive second goal, the mach dragged into a penalty shootout, where Tonic FC held their nerves to eventually prevail 5-4.
It was a hard-fought contest that underlined the fine margins involved in knockout football, as Tonic FC secured two qualification points under the competition’s qualifying scoring system for a shootout win.
Diadem Stallion SC 0-1 Crystal FC
In the second qualifying fixture, Crystal FC produced one of the day’s narrowest but most valuable triumphs, edging Diadem Stallion SC 1-0.
The solitary goal which arrived very late in the 59th minute courtesy of forward Ogunleye Adetoro proved enough to settle the contest as Crystal FC protected their lead and walked away with all three points.
Edu Youth FC 0-3 Mega 22 FC
The third match at the Inspire Sports Ground on Thursday saw Mega 22 FC deliver a highly impressive performance as they dominated Edu Youth FC in a convincing 3-0 victory.
A brace from Essien Saviour Monday in the 27th and 29th minute ensured that Mega 22 FC finished the first half with a comfortable 2-0 lead.
They thereafter put the icing on the result when Oladipupo Gabriel Oluwafemi scored their third goal in the 51st minute.
The three-goal success was one of the biggest results of the day and demonstrated Mega 22 FC’s attacking efficiency while keeping a clean sheet at the other end.
Daja United 0-3 Ighalo FA
Thursday’s final encounter produced another huge win as former Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo’s team, Ighalo FA continued their impressive 1XCup 2026 campaign with another emphatic 3-0 victory, this time against Daja United.
The Epe-based side has now won all three of its 1XCup matches, scoring 11 goals without conceding, according to the competition’s official team record.
Ezeji Ikenna had a splendid day in the office as the striker turned up with two goals, his first coming in the 21st minute to put Ighalo FA ahead.
Seven minutes later, Nathaniel Akinpelu
found the back of the net to double Ighalo FA’s advantage even as the first half ended 2-0.
Ikenna was not done as he completed his brace, with the striker scoring once again in the 41st minute to help Ighalo FA secure a 3-0 victory.
Ighalo FA’s latest victory also keeps Ikenna at the top of the 1XCup 2026 scoring chart with five goals, while teammate Alidu Mohammed has three.
