Akwa United have won the 2017 Aiteo Cup following a 3-2 penalty shootout win against Niger Tornadoes after a goalless draw in regulation time at the Agege Stadium in Lagos.
Gabriel Okechukwu's decisive penalty in sudden death secured Akwa a ticket to the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup -- a reward for their superiority and consistency throughout the competition -- along with the N25million prize-money.
Neither team impressed in regulation time; Abdullahi Wakili missing a big chance to put Tornadoes ahead early on, while Akwa's Ifeanyi Ifeanyi wasted a free-kick in the 43rd-minute.
Substitute Okechukwu missed a massive chance to hand the Promise Keepers the win in the 85th minute, firing over the bar with just goalkeeper Mustapha Aliko to beat.
In the ensuing penalty shootout, Andrew Ikefe missed when he could have secured the title for Tornadoes, allowing Okechukwu to score the winning goal.