Super 4: Enyimba Edge Dolphins By Solitary Okonkwo Goal

Super 4 holders Enyimba International FC edged fellow Glo Premier League outfit Dolphins FC 1-0 in a repeat of last year’s Federation Cup final in Abuja on Wednesday.

Chinonso Okonkwo’s strike in the opening quarter of the match separated both sides, which ended the match with ten men.

Enyimba’s Uwadiegwu Ugwu was sent off for a second booking for time wasting in the 82nd minute and Joseph Douhadji followed suit for Dolphins also for a second yellow card following a foul on Ebenezer Adeyemi three minutes later.

Enyimba have now won two out of three matches in the pre-season tournament, while Dolphins are still searching for their first point following losses to Kano Pillars and Dream Team VI.

Okonkwo blasted home the opener within 15 minutes of kickoff from goalkeeper Joseph Onwuga’s rebound of an earlier shot.

Okonkwo almost capitalised on another sloppy goalkeeping by Onwuga to double Enyimba’s lead on 37 minutes but his shot was blocked.

Enyimba huffed and puffed at goal for a large part the second half but couldn’t get the ball inside the back of the net.

Dolphins almost restored parity on 88 minutes when Nonso Elum was on the receiving end of a counter-attacking move initiated by fellow sub Isiaka Olawale but watched returning Enyimba goalkeeper Femi Thomas punch his effort clear.