Desert Academy stun Yobe Desert Star to clinch Yobe State FA Cup title

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Desert Academy FC emerged as Champions of the 2023 Yobe State FA Cup after securing a win over highly-fancied second-tier Nigeria National League (NNL) side, Yobe Desert Star in the final in Yobe State.

Umar Magi gave Yobe Desert Star the lead in the 60th minute after a keenly contested first half at the August 27 Stadium, Damaturu.

Gauji, however leveled matters for Desert Academy FC to force the encounter to penalties before they edged Yobe Desert Star 6-5 on penalties to win the coveted crown.

Despite the result, both finalists automatically qualified for this year’s national finals.

Yobe Desert Stars will now shift focus on its NNL opener.

The team will face Adamawa United on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at the Atiku Abubakar Stadium, Fufore.

Last season, it finished fourth in Group A1 with 30 points behind El-Kanemi Warriors, City FC of Abuja, and Sokoto United.