The race for gold intensified on Thursday as four teams booked their places in the semi-finals of the men’s football event at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Ikenne.

Host state, Ogun, came from behind to edge out Delta State 2-1 in a fiercely contested match, sending the home crowd into wild celebrations.

Kaduna State needed penalties to overcome Lagos State after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. The shootout ended 5-4 in favour of Kaduna, who held their nerve to advance.

In a commanding display, the U-17 National Team swept past Ebonyi State with a thumping 5-0 victory, showcasing their class and tournament credentials.

Kwara State sealed their spot in the last four with a solid 2-0 win over Imo State, rounding off an action-packed quarter-final day.

The semi-final fixtures are expected to deliver even more drama as the competition edges closer to the final.