Enyimba qualified for the final of this year’s Federation Cup on Wednesday after they pipped Lobi Stars 1-0 in Benin City.
Enyimba will now meet the winners of the other semi-final between Akwa United and Warri Wolves, which was disrupted by rain in Bauchi with scores at 1-1.
The replay is fixed for the same venue on Thursday.
Enyimba coach Imama Amapakabo said the better team won.
“It was an interesting game, both sides came out to play good football with the aim to win and at this stage of competition of such magnitude, you don’t expect a weak opposition, but I must tell you the better side won,” he said.
Lobi coach Evans Ogenyi blamed the assistant referee for the loss.
“It was an interesting game both sides played their hearts out, but we lost to a controversial goal. It is not in my character to blame referees but in this case the ball that was crossed in for the goal had rolled out of line, but the AR waved it, my defender too was to blame because he didn’t play to referee’s whistle. The game has been lost and won,” he lamented.
Eagles striker Ifeanyi Edeh again proved to be the match winner for the two-time cup winners just days after he scored the winning goal against Kaduna United in a league game.
Edeh hit target in the 59th minute.
Both teams made several efforts at goal in the first half, but could not yield any fruit as they ended the first period scoreless.
Enyimba goalkeeper Femi Thomas was on hand to keep out Bassey Ezekiel’s dangerous pull out from the left flank in the 25th minute, and he was again on hand to save Moses Orkuma’s powerful shot.
Kingsley Sokari would have put Enyimba in front earlier, but he failed to connect Ugwu Uwadiegwu’s inviting cross.
The cup final will be staged in Lagos on September 15 with the winners earning the right to fly the country’s flag in next year’s CAF Confederation Cup.
