Chris Maduewesi
Member
Enyimba Football Club have won the 69th edition of the Federation Cup after defeating Dolphins 2-1 at the Teslim Balogun stadium.
The People's Elephant made it back to back wins to retain the trophy they won last year.
It was a game of two halves as both sides challenged for who would end the season on a victorious note.
Dolphins started the brighter of the two teams as Enyimba hardly got of their blocks in the first half.
And chance after chance, Enyimba defended brilliantly to repel the forays of coach Stanley Eguma's dolphins.
The game saw a competition on all fronts, with the top marksmen in the Nigerian league, Mfon Udoh(Enyimba) and Emem Eduok(Dolphins) going up against themselves.
While Eduok was all over Enyimba's Emma Anyanwu in the first half, Udoh struggled, moving from channel to channel looking for a breakthrough.
Dolphins had numerous opportunities to find a goal, Eduok had the best chances but Enyimba's Femi Thomas was well placed to stop his shots.
Coach Kadiri Ikhana made changes in his tactics and his players came out with urgency.
It was not surprising that Dolphins ended up ruing their missed chances as Enyimba got on the front foot.
An individual effort from Mfon Udoh, his best play all-game gave Enyimba the lead. The Enyimba striker skipped past Victor Ezuruike at the edge of the box and volleyed in past Sunday Rotimi for 1-0.
It was soon 2-0 after a defensive mix-up and a howler from Rotimi who committed his player with a poor clearance and he was marauded by Enyimba attackers who stole the ball and Okonkwo Chinonso finished it off.
Eduok redeemed himself and pull one back for Dolphins, but it was a little bit late as Enyimba held on to victory.
Enyimba will be delighted how their season ended, finishing second in the Nigerian league and qualifying for next season's CAF Champions League, however capping it off by winning the Federation Cup will excite them.
The People's Elephant made it back to back wins to retain the trophy they won last year.
It was a game of two halves as both sides challenged for who would end the season on a victorious note.
Dolphins started the brighter of the two teams as Enyimba hardly got of their blocks in the first half.
And chance after chance, Enyimba defended brilliantly to repel the forays of coach Stanley Eguma's dolphins.
The game saw a competition on all fronts, with the top marksmen in the Nigerian league, Mfon Udoh(Enyimba) and Emem Eduok(Dolphins) going up against themselves.
While Eduok was all over Enyimba's Emma Anyanwu in the first half, Udoh struggled, moving from channel to channel looking for a breakthrough.
Dolphins had numerous opportunities to find a goal, Eduok had the best chances but Enyimba's Femi Thomas was well placed to stop his shots.
Coach Kadiri Ikhana made changes in his tactics and his players came out with urgency.
It was not surprising that Dolphins ended up ruing their missed chances as Enyimba got on the front foot.
An individual effort from Mfon Udoh, his best play all-game gave Enyimba the lead. The Enyimba striker skipped past Victor Ezuruike at the edge of the box and volleyed in past Sunday Rotimi for 1-0.
It was soon 2-0 after a defensive mix-up and a howler from Rotimi who committed his player with a poor clearance and he was marauded by Enyimba attackers who stole the ball and Okonkwo Chinonso finished it off.
Eduok redeemed himself and pull one back for Dolphins, but it was a little bit late as Enyimba held on to victory.
Enyimba will be delighted how their season ended, finishing second in the Nigerian league and qualifying for next season's CAF Champions League, however capping it off by winning the Federation Cup will excite them.