Former champions, MTN produced a fantastic performance to achieve the result they needed with a 5-1 thrashing of LM Ericsson in a winner-takes-all last group game on a day Etisalat made sure of their 100 per cent record by also beating Alcatel Lucent 4-0.
The result saw MTN leap-frog Ericsson and Airtel to claim the remaining finals slot which will mean a fourth consecutive final between the two since the inception of the tournament in 2011.
Aminu Jabar opened scoring for the Yhello Boys on 12th minute and prolific forward, Alichie Iheukwumere scored the first of his brace on 24th minute.
Yusuf Abubakar made it three-nil on 44th only for Jabar to complete his brace six minutes after. But Ericsson fought back and reduced the deficit through Saheed Adeoye and thereafter, MTN continued with more goals knowing their chance to play in the finals hung on goals superiority. They got the goals when Yusuf scored again on the full hour mark.
Etisalat routed Alcatel in another 4-0 thriller that made the Cup holders the highest scoring side having earlier pounced on MTN on opening day with a heavy score line.
Sprints champion, David Ore and Taiwo Jamiu scored for Etisalat in the game which saw Yakubu Kasim netting a brace to end Alcatel's poor season without a win.
The results condemned Ericsson and Airtel to the third place play-off on Sunday, September 7 and offers MTN a chance to consolidate on the overall medals table.
Interestingly, it does appear Etisalat players were not comfortable with MTN's return to reckoning after a poor start to the football event as they were heard whispering that the former champions are the only side they think can stop them.
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