FC Ifeanyiubah emerge victorious after a 5-4 penalty shoot-out win over Nasarawa United to lift the 2016 Federation Cup, on Sunday 6, November.
The final played at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos between the two Nigeria Professional Football League side (NPFL) ended goalless in regulation time. As either side could not find the back of the net, in a match that lacked excitement of a cup final against the backdrop of the build up to the match.
clashed at the Teslim Balogun Stadium Lagos under the watchful eyes of Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr.
The game started with FC Ifeanyiubah creating the first chance through Brazilian forward Alberico who fired his effort over. While Nasarawa fluttered two chances in taking the lead with Jimoh Oni of Ifeanyiuba intercepting a through ball while Tayo Fabiyi shot over to waste the second.
Nasarawa United wasted another wonderful chance to take the lead in the 12th minute just for Bashir to go for goal with his teammate Fabiyi in a better position.
The game wore on without any clear chances before FC Ifeanyiubah captain Wilson Elu curled a 25-yard free kick towards goal which was saved by Nasarawa United goalkeeper Suraj Ayeleso.
Nasawara also had another chance to take the lead just before the end of first half but Bashir blew it again.
A poor clearance gifted Ifeanyiuba another opportunity at goal but their forwards reacted too poorly, giving the opposition time to clear.
At the end of regulation time the two teams wereunable to break the deadlock in what was more or less a ding dong 90 minutes of football.
The match was decided on penalties with FC Ifeanyiubah scoring all of their five spot kicks while Nasarawa United missed one.
5-4 it ended in the favour of FC Ifeanyiubah who will represent Nigeria in the 2017 CAF Confederation Cup.
