FC Ifeanyi Ubah on Sunday in Lagos won the 2016 Federation Cup title after beating hard-fighting Nasarawa United on 5-4 penalty shootout.
Both teams, playing their first final in the history of Nigerian football, failed to find the net after regular and extra time.
Seun Sogbeso, the player whose spot kick took Nasarawa to the final as they beat former continental champions, Enyimba 1-0 in one of the semi final matches, was the villian as he was the only player who missed from the spot of all the well-taken penalties of the day.
By this feat, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, now has the right to fly Nigeria’s flag in the 2017 CAF Conderations Cup.
Head coach of the team, Everton Rafael, said his boys had made up for the disappointment of the Nigeria Professional League, which they failed to win.
“We have been rewarded by this victory but I assure you we shall be better next year and do Nigeria proud on the continent.”
“I thank my players, the supporting staff, the fans and our directors. This is for all of us. We worked hard for it “We were gallant in defeat, we gave everything but we were just unlucky,” said Bature Yaro of Nasarawa United.
The two teams began this cup final rather cautiously and it was not until the 16th minute, when Nasarawa carved out the first big chance as striker Abdulraham Bashir headed for goal only to be thwarted by intelligent goalkeeper Uche Okafor.
It was really a battle of the midfield with the likes of Esosa Igbinoba of Nasarawa United squaring up against Cameroonian Tamen Medrano.
After the interval, both finalists had chances to brea the deadlock but the two goalkeepers were on hand to deny the two teams from scoring.
The introduction of Shamak Tanze for Tayo Fabiyi brought some spark to the attack of Nasarawa.
And in stoppage time, IfeanyiUbah shot stopper Uche Okafor pulled off the save of the match whyen h scrambled a goal-bound effort for corner.
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