Enyimba Edge Rivers United to progress in Federation Cup

Enyimba booked passage to the Federation Cup round of 32 with a 5-4 shoot-out win against Rivers United at the God’swill Akpabio Stadium on Thursday.

Chijioke Mbaoma fired the decisive kick after the game headed straight to penalties following a goalless outcome of normal time.

Despite failing to witness a goal, the game did not fail to produce the sparks expected of a clash of two heavyweights, with chances not a few.

Eze Ekwutoziam, who was handed a central midfield role, popped forward only to see his strike lodge in the side-netting, before Chijioke Mbaoma curled wide after beating the offside line. Fatai Abdullahi also watched his freekick tipped away by Victor Sochima.

Paul Acquah created Rivers United’s biggest opening, but his cross was fluffed by Nyima Nwagwa who fired over the top from six yards.

Substitute Sadiq Abubakar tested Sochima with a tricky strike, before seeing a penalty call waved away in the closing stages after he wriggled his way into the box.

With the game heading straight to shoot-out, Farouk Mohammed hit United’s third kick wide, before Ekwutoziam and Mbaoma converted Enyimba’s last two to seal a date with Plateau United in the next round.

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