Howard is upbeat as 3SC, Enyimba go to war in Uyo      Posted on Monday, June 29th 2009

A classic battle beckons for Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan when they ‘host’ Enyimba FC of Aba in one of the Federation Cup quarter-final matches on Tuesday. Tradition appears to favour Shooting Stars whose eight victories in the FA Cup far over-shadows  Enyimba’s solitary win in 2005.

3SC’s Chief Coach Franklin Howard is upbeat on the game, and believes this is Shooting Stars’ year of glory. “With all due respect for Enyimba who have twice ruled the continent, this will not be a piece of cake for them. We are focused on winning this trophy again, and I really don’t see them stopping us,” says the Nigeria junior ex-international.

“Having come this far, we are hoping to take our game to the next level and ensure that we give our loyal fans the victory they deserve,” he added.

Tuesday’s match is slated for the Uyo Township Stadium where 3SC topped Group B, and gives the Oluyole Warriors a golden opportunity to edge closer to eventual glory in a competition they last won in 1995.

Shooting Stars are looking to add to their record eight wins in the competition having conquered in 1959, 1961, 1966, 1969, 1971, 1977, 1979, and 1995.

3SC booked their place in the last eight after emerging winners of the Uyo centre while Enyimba finished as runners-up behind Lobi Stars in Jalingo. 

THE FINAL ROUND OF 16 GROUP STANDINGS

ILORIN CENTRE

                       P    W    D    L    F    A    PTS
Ocean Boys     3    2     1     0    5    3      7
Nasarawa         3    1     1     1     5   5      4
Julius Berger    3    0     3     0    3    3      3
BCC Lions      3    0     1     2    2    4      1

JALINGO CENTRE
                     P    W    D    L    F    A    PTS
Lobi Stars     3    2      1     0    2    1      7
Enyimba        3    1     1     1     3    3     4
Dolphins       3    1      1     1     3    3     4
Rangers         3    0     2     1     1    2      2

ABEOKUTA CENTRE
                   P    W    D    L    F    A    PTS
Sharks         3     3    0     0    8    2      9
Bayelsa       3    2     0    1     2    1      6
Bussdor       3    1     0    2     4    7     3
Akwa Utd   3    0      0    3     2    6     0

By Mark Ogagan