Tochukwu Oluehi’s safe and trusted hands were brought to bear for Rivers Angels on Sunday as the Jewel of Rivers had to depend on penalties to dispatch a dogged Edo Queens in an AITEO Cup quarter-final match decided at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.

The match ended in a barren affair – like it was in the first leg which was played on Wednesday – and headed straight to penalties to decide which team goes through. Thanks to three shootout saves by Oluehi, Rivers Angels’ dream of a title defence – and the ten million naira that comes with it – is still alive.

In 2015, it was Oluehi who led Sunshine Queens to their first Federation (AITEO) Cup title when she saved three penalties to help the Akure-based side beat Bayelsa Queens 3-1 in a penalty shootout.

Edo Queens may be out, but they will pride themselves in being able to starve the ‘almighty’ Rivers Angels of goals over two legs.

In the meantime, Rivers Angels have an obviously tougher challenge ahead as they take on Bayelsa Queens in the semi-finals.

Both sides met in the final last year with the Jewel of Rivers winning on penalties.

Bayelsa Queens would not only want to exert revenge on their South South neighbours, they are also motivated by the prospect of playing in the final at home.