Federation Cup: Enyimba edge Shooting Stars in penalty shoot-out        Posted on Wednesday, July 1st 2009

Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan exited the Federation Cup in a gallant manner when they lost  3-2 on penalties to two-time African champions Enyimba in an exciting quarter-final fixture decided Tuesday at the Uyo Township Stadium.

3SC, who recently stormed back to the Nigeria Premier League, thus lost out on a chance to play in the semi-finals of the country’s most-glamorous soccer competition.

But, in the words of Chief Coach Franklin Howard, the team has come to stay, and Tuesday’s result confirms the fact that 3SC can hold its own against the big boys of Nigeria football.

“We are satisfied with our input even though we eventually lost out on penalties. It’s no easy task playing a team of Enyimba’s caliber to a standstill, but we did, and we have to be proud of ourselves,” he reflected.

Both teams had played to a goalless draw in regulation time, and when it came down to the pulsating lottery of a penalty shoot-out, the People’s Elephant triumphed.

Timothy Idogbe and his strike partner Meshack Chukwubuikem converted for 3SC while Josiah Maduabuchi, Daddy Bazuaye and Joseph Onwugba were on target for Enyimba. For Shooting Stars it was a sad tale of misses as Tope Orelope, Lateef Adigun and Shakiru Lawal failed to convert their kicks. 

3SC Media Man Jubril Arowolo reports that 3SC played well to the delight of the capacity crowd and the team was highly applauded at the end of the action-packed encounter. The boys were hugged and given words of encouragement by all the soccer enthusiasts present.

The match was graced by the presence of several Nigeria ex-internationals like Jonathan Akpoborie, Mike Ekpenyong, Edema Fuludu, Friday Ekpo, and Ike Shorunmu. 

By Mark Ogagan