2014 Federation Cup Final preview

2014 Federation Cup Final

Enyimba International FC of Aba v Dolphins FC of Port-Harcourt

Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

23rd November 2014

Match background

The 2014 Federation Cup final will be a classic between two teams who have been ever present in thee final in the last decade. Dolphins are clocked as the most prominent team, notching up four wins since 2001 and this came in the four finals they played;they've never lost a final they've played in.

Enyimba, who finished second in the Glo Premier League will look to make up for that loss by handing Dolphins their first defeat in a Federation Cup final. The 'People's Elephants' are the reigning champions after edging out Warri Wolves 5-4 on penalties in last year's edition.

The two teams have already met twice this season in the league. Enyimba handed Dolphins a 1-0 defeat in Aba in May and were able to pick a point in Port-Harcourt in the reverse leg

Dolphins coach Stanley Eguma is a veteran of cup finals and has promised his wards will take the day when the two Nigerian club giants clash at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos on Sunday.

Battle of the hit men

This year's finals has caught the attention of many because it has been branded as the battle of the hotshots as Enyimba's Mfon Udoh and Emem Eduok of Dolphins have been neck in neck for the top scorer award before the Enyimba man beat him to it at the tape.

Enyimba striker Mfon Udoh is the man of the moment after his 23 goals for Enyimba in the Glo Premier League broke the records, albeit it couldn't give Enyimba the league diadem.

The former Akwa United front man has 38 goals in the league over two seasons after hitting home 15 for Akwa United before his move to Enyimba.

Emem Udouk has been one of the shining lights in a disappointing Dolphins 2014 league campaign. The former under-20 will want to erase that memory by helping his team to silverware.

Enyimba wins in in 2013

2014 match up

June 28, 2014- Enyimba 1 - 0 Dolphins

November 2nd 2014 - Dolphins 1-1 Enyimba

Team news

Enyimba have the full complement of their squad for the trip to Lagos to confront Dolphins. Team captain Chinedu Udoji, who celebrates his birthday on the eve of the final wants the trophy ease the pain losing the league to eventual champions Kano Pillars.

Abdulrahman Bashir is fit and rearing to go after sitting out the last league game against Kano Pillars.

Dolphins have no injury worries coming into the game and Stanley Eguma will have the opportunity to unleash the likes of Ebube Opokwu and Bolaji Sakin on Enyimba.

Form coming into the game

Enyimba

W D W W W

Dolphins

L D L W L W

Road to the final

Enyimba

Round of 64

Sokoto North 1-3 Enyimba

John Uche 56 (PK)', Abdulrahman Bashir 72', Sokari Kingsley 80'

Round of 32

Enyimba 7-6 (pk) Niger Tornadoes

Round of 16

Enyimba 2-1 Nembe City

Mfon Udoh 24', 60

Quarter Final

Enyimba 2-0 Sharks

Sokari Kingsley 24', Raphael Boumsong 39'

Semi Final

Enyimba 1-0 Giwa FC

Raphael Boumsong 51'

Dolphins:

Round of 64

Dolphins 3-1 Ingas

Ebube Okpokwu 20', Ifeanyi Egwim 31', Emem Eduok 49'

Round of 32

Dolphins 1-0 Kogi United

Victor Ezuruike 69' (PK)

Round of 16

Dolphins 1-0 El Kanemi

Emem Eduok 44'

Quarter final

Dolphins 4-2 Lobi Stars

Emem Eduok, 23'; Ebube Okpokwu 54' Tijani Adamu 70', Victor Alegbe 88'

Semi final

Dolphins 1-0 Prime FC

Ebube Okpokwu 46'

Players to watch

Enyimba

Mfon Udoh might have stolen the show at Enyimba this season, but another gem in their ranks who has done quite well is Kingsley Sokari.

The youngster, plucked from street football ironically in Port-Harcourt, will hope to do damage to a team from where he horned his skills.

The talented midfielder is a tireless worker in the middle for Enyimba and his hard graft actually masks the fact that he is an attacking midfielder who is blessed with sublime skills way beyond his age.

Dolphins

Tijani Adamu

One of the most underrated midfielders in the country, who has been one of the driving force of the Dolphins team to the final.

The former Kaduna United midfielder, who has also had stints at Sunshine Stars of Akure, scored once in the run to the final against Lobi Stars in the quarter-finals has been pulling the strings in the middle for Dolphins in the league and Federation Cup.

He will surely be at the fore front of Dolphins push for a fifth title at the fifth attempt if he gets to start on game day.

Squads:

Enyimba

Femi Thomas, Markson Ojobo, Uwadiegwu Ugwu, Razak Aliyu, Udoji Chinedu ,Emma Anyanwu, Mfon Udoh ,Chinonso Okonkwo, Emeka Nwanna, Nzube Anaezemba, Andrew Abalogu, Paul Godwin, Uche John, Bala Zakka Rasheed Olabiyi, Kamal Sikiru, Michael Okoyoh, Amanfor Chimezie, Raphael Boumsong, Abdulrahman Bashir

Dolphins

Sunday Rotimi,Emeka Atuloma, Jonathan Zikiye, Ayobami Asekunowo, Victor Ezuruike, Ebube Okpokwu, Emmanuel Olowo,Victor Alegbe, Emem Eduok,Omo Johnson,Tijani Adamu,Chidiebere Okolie,Austin Brown,Joseph Douhadji,Chizoba Amaefule,Hope Fiberesima, Ifeanyi Egwim, Stone Evbuomwan, Tasiu Lawal, Isiaka Olawale, Bolaji Sakin