Former winners Enyimba, Akwa United, and Kano Pillars dump out of Federation Cup

Enyimba threw away a two-lead against Plateau United at the Samuel Ognemudia Stadium and paid dearly for their inability to hold to their lead with two minutes to regulation time.

May 11, 2023 - 04:21

Former winners Enyimba, Akwa United, and Kano Pillars dump out of Federation Cup

By Olusola Adebayo

The round of 32 matches of the Nigeria Federation was played on Wednesday and three past winners Enyimba, Akwa United, and Kano Pillars were dumped from the competition.

Enyimba threw away a two-lead against Plateau United at the Samuel Ognemudia Stadium and paid dearly for their inability to hold to their lead with two minutes to regulation time.

Plateau United started on a wrong footing when defender Ifeanyi Emmanuel scored against his team in the 44th minute.

The People's Elephant scored the second goal of the match in the 75th minute Chigozie Chilekwu,

But the Jos's base team saved their best to the last and rallied back by scoring two goals in the dying seconds of the match.

Saidu Salisu converted from the penalty spot in the 88th minute before Moses Adikwu headed home in stoppage time to end the match in a 2-2 draw at full time and dragged the match to a penalty shoot-out and Plateau United eventually won 3-2 to book their passage to the round of 16.

In one of the upsets of the day, 2017 champions Akwa United were eliminated by EFCC on penalties 9-8 after a pulsating 1-1 draw at full time.

Rangers International of Enugu eliminated 2018 Champions, Kano Pillars by 2-0 as coach Abdul Maikaba eased off some pressure and move on to the round of 16 with Godwin Obaje scoring the two goals.

The round also saw the end of NPFL side Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) as they were kicked out by NNL side Warri Wolves on penalties after regulation time ended goalless at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.

Sikiru Alimi and Anthony Okachi missed their kicks while the Wolves qualified for the round of 16.

Bendel Insurance kept their unbeaten in all competitions, by defeating Ahudiya Nnem of Abia State 1-0 in Calabar courtesy of Ismael Sarki’s 72nd-minute goal to reach the round of 16.

The Insurance Feeders team also booked a spot in the next round after coming from a goal down to beat Osun United 2-1 in Lagos.

Doma United of Gombe scored four times to send Fr Eburuaja packing with a 4-0 scoreline in Abuja with striker Charles Chibuike netting an impressive hattrick.

El-Kanemi Warriors got eliminated by non-league Ingas of Enugu in Kaduna.

Ingas won 9-8 on penalties after regulation time had ended 1-1 at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium to proceed to the next round.

NPFL sides, Lobi Stars, Sunshine Stars, and Kwara United did enough to avoid elimination by their lowly rated opponents, while Nasarawa United, Heartland FC

All the results of the Federation Cup Round of 32 results played on Wednesday.

Heartland FC (Imo) 2-1 Essien Ayi FC (Cross River) – Awka

Ahudiya (Abia) 0-1 Bendel Insurance (Edo) – Calabar

Standard FC (Kaduna) 0-2 Sunshine Stars (Ondo) – Lokoja

EFCC FC (FCT) 1-1 Akwa United (Akwa Ibom) – Awka. EFCC win 9-8 on penalties.

Warri Wolves (Delta) 0-0 3SC (Oyo) – Owerri. Wolves win 4-3 on penalties.

Osun United (Osun) 1-2 Insurance Feeders (Edo) – Lagos

Cynosure FC (Ebonyi) 1-2 Lobi Stars (Benue) – Abuja Area 3

Plateau United (Plateau) 2-2 Enyimba FC – Benin City. Plateau win 3-2 on penalties.

Ingas FC (Enugu) 1-1 El-Kanemi Warriors (Borno) – Kaduna. Ingas win 9-8 on penalties.

Nasarawa United (Nasarawa) 3-2 DMD FC (Borno) – Bauchi.

Ikorodu City (Lagos) 1-3 Kwara United (Kwara) – Osogbo.