The 2017 Akwa Ibom state FA Cup enters its semifinal stage with four teams getting ready to struggle for the two available tickets for the finals and also for the slot to represent the state in the Federation Cup later in the year.

Twelve teams registered for this year’s FA Cup with eight clubs already eliminated and the remaining four ready to battle it out for the state’s biggest football trophy this weekend.

The four semifinalists are seven time champions and the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) campaigners Akwa United, Nigeria National League Club and two time winners of the tournament Akwa Starlets, Nationwide League Club Ibom Youth FC and Non-League side Hills FC of Uyo.

In the first semifinal match scheduled for Thursday at the training pitch of the Godswill Akpabio International stadium, tournament favourites Akwa United will engage Ibom Youth FC on Thursday while Hill FC will square up against Akwa Starlets at the same venue on Friday at 4pm.

The two semifinal winners will face each other on Sunday in the final to decide the champion of this year’s competition.