Federation Cup Round of 16 Results: Rangers, Sunshine Stars and 3SC Bow Out.

Federation Cup.
Federation Cup.

Enugu Rangers, Sunshine Stars and 3SC were the top casualties of Wednesday’s Federation Cup round of 16 fixtures.

Rangers failed to reach the quarter-final of this year’s competition, falling 2-1 to Akwa United at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.

United’s Stephen Adah opened scoring against his former club close to the half hour mark, but Senegalese defender Pierre Coly drew level for Rangers just before half-time.

Another Senegalese defender in Rangers’ fold, Ousmane Pape Sane, turned the ball into his own net in the 80th minute to hand Justin Tenger-led Akwa United the victory.

“The Federation Cup is my special area I always excel with teams I’ve tutored,” an ecstatic Tenger told supersport.com after the victory. “I won it as Challenge Cup in 1997 with the then BCC Lions and runners-up in 2009 in charge of Gombe United, so I’m confident of repeating the feat with Akwa United in this year’s competition.”

At the Old Parade Ground, Abuja, Enyimba humbled 3SC by 3-1. Goals from Kingsley Sokari in the 23rd, Andrew Abalogu in the 46th, and Amanfor Chimezie in the 67th, saw ‘The People’s Elephant’ remain in contention going into the quarter-final.

Gbolahan Salami benefited from Bala Muhammed’s failure to clear his line to get a consolation goal for the Ibadan club, which was not enough to keep their glimmer of title hope alive.

Malachy Iloe’s first-half goal at the Confluence Stadium Lokoja was sufficient for Nasarawa United to edge out Sunshine Stars.

Also Bello Musa Kofarmata’s 61st minute strike made the difference in Jos against Gombe United.

Holders Heartland needed penalties to see off the challenges of Sharks in Benin, after regulation time ended 1-1.

Bright Ejike (34th) and Tayo Fabiyi (44th) scored for Heartland and Sharks respectively, before ‘The Naze Millionaires’ won 5-4 on penalties.

“It was a very tough game, Sharks did well and gave us good fight. We did our best to win the match. I thank God we got the three points at the end,” skipper Chinedu Efugh told MTNFootball.com after the match.

In another encounter that was decided on penalties, Lobi Stars won ABS 5-4 after both side failed to score after 90 minutes.

FEDERATION CUP ROUND OF 16 RESULTS

Enyimba 3-1 3SC
Akwa United 2-1 Enugu Rangers
Niger Tornadoes 0-1 Warri Wolves
Nasarawa United 1-0 Sunshine Stars
Kano Pillars 1-0 Gombe United
Akwa Starlets 2-0 Abia Warriors
ABS 0-0 Lobi Stars
(Lobi won 5-4 on penalties)
Heartland 1-1 Sharks
(Heartland won 5-4 on penalties)