DREAM by Warri Wolves to take Nigeria’s cup title to that part of the country for the first time was shattered on Sunday in Lagos as Enyimba Football Club of Aba lifted the title for the third time in history.
Enyimba had previously won the cup in 2005 and 2009.
What a way to turn out the villian, as Wolves captain, Azubuike Egwuekwe missed his shot of all the ten expertly taken kicks after a 2-2 draw at regulation time.
Egwuekwe had won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations with the Super Eagles in South Africa in February and the Mandela Challenge in the same country last month.
His dream to score a hattrick of titles was shattered as he shot tamely into the hands of Enyimba’s goalkeeper, Femi Thomas as he approached the spot for Wolves’ fourth spot kick.
For Wolves coach, Solomon Ogbeide, it was another heartache, having found himself in similar position seven years ago. Then as chief coach of Insurance of Benin, Ogbeide lost on penalties to Dolphins of Port Harcourt after a 2-2 scoreline.
However, Ogbeide said at the post-match briefing that a game that ends in penalty shootout is decided by luck.
“It was a very exciting match, either side could have won. The only thing I regret is that we failed to keep our lead. But I am not ashamed of my team. My players did their best.’’
Cup-winning coach Salisu Yusuf informed that he kept on telling his players not to lose their heads even as they went down on each occasion to Wolves.
“I am proud to have won the cup for the first time as a coach. I had been optimistic of clinching the title and now it is a reality,’’ he added.
Enyimba’s captain, Chinedu Udoji said it was a reward for his persistence.
“I am third time lucky, I lost in 2010 and 2011, so this is my year,’’said Udoji.
Meanwhile, Enyimba’s Bright Esieme was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the game. Esieme, a right back, scored Enyimba’s equaliser and cooly converted his penalty.
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