TUFA makes history in MTN FA Cup

 25th of May, 2015

Ibrahim Lukman was the hero as Tamale Utrecht Football Academy secured a place in the quarter finals of the MTN FA Cup, with a 2-0 win over premier league side, B.A United at the Academy Park.

The results mean TUFA will join third tier side Great Astronomers in eliminating premier league heavy weights in the competition after the second division side beat former premier league champions, Berekum Chelsea 2-1 on Thursday.

On a tense and nervy afternoon, the deadlock was broken in the 61th minute when Captain Vincent Die hammered in a 35 yard free kick, after Lukman was brought down.

The goal sparked wild celebrations from, fans, Vincent, his team-mates and CEO of TUFA, Abu, who was watching from the lines after picking an injury as the player ran towards him.

Roared on by a full house at the Kasalgu ground, TUFA started on the front foot as Micheal Japaa dragged a shot across goal in the first minute and then missed the target with an acrobatic scissor kick from Vincent’s cross.

Utrecht created chances but failed to convert any as the players went on break with the scores 0-0. That continued early in the second half when Salifu Nuhu failed to make contact with Kassim’s cross when he should have swept the ball home.

However, TUFA did get the vital breakthrough shortly afterwards as Lukman, who had come on for returnee, Kalusha was brought down and Vincent scored from the resulting free kick.

The goal seemed to settle some of the nerves and, as B.A. United thought they could muster a reply, Lukman added a second, a minute after the first goal to put the game in TUFA’s favor.

Winners of the round of 16 games will be taken through a live draw at the Grand Favour Hotel in Takoradi on Tuesday to determine the pairings for the quarter final stage.