22 June 2011
It was mixed fortune for NPL sides in the Federation Cup as Kano Pillars crashed out of the cup competition and Enyimba squeezed through.
Pillars were a shadow of themselves as they were sent packing 2-1 by first division side Spotlite of Katsina with Buhari Musa scoring a face-saving goal on 44 minutes.
However, last year’s beaten finalists Enyimba barely made it into the mini-league stage of the cup competition courtesy of a 6-5 penalty shootout victory over first division outfit First Bank of Lagos.
NPL side Warri Wolves pipped Bendel Insurance 4-2 on penalties to qualify for the group phase of the Federation Cup.
Cup holders Kaduna United were another top-flight team who advanced to the next stage of the country’s biggest cup competition after a lone goal win over FC Lokoja.
Goalkeeper Iboro Akpapan was the hero for Ocean Boys as they edged past non-leaguers Dynamite FC 6-5 on penalties after scores were tied at 1-1 by full time.
The Ocean Boys goalie saved seven of the 13 penalties of Dynamite FC.
Other top clubs through to the group phase of the competition include Gombe United, Sunshine Stars, Sharks and Dolphin.
Meanwhile, Akwa United’s protest against NPL side 3SC has been upheld by the NFF appeals committee.
Shooting Stars lost the Federation Cup tie to the division side on penalties but were later awarded the game after they protested against the eligibility of the Akwa players.
2011 Federation Cup Round of 32 Results
Kaduna United 1 FC Lokoja 0
Dynamite FC 1 Ocean Boys 2
Rising Stars 2 FC Abuja 0
Kwara United 1 Jigawa Stars 0
Spotlite 2 Kano Pillars 1
Gombe United 3 Dalkat FC 2
Sunshine Stars 1 Abia Warriors 0
BRAC Waves 0 Heartland FC 1
Sharks FC 3 Gabros Int’l 0
UniCem Rovers 3 Wikki Tourists 2
B/Insurance 2 Warri Wolves 4
Dolphin FC 2 Ila FC 1
COD FC 0 Bayelsa United 3
Enyimba FC 6 First Bank 5
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Pillars crash, Enyimba advance