PFC: Enyimba, Shooting Stars soldier on, Insurance Out

Former champions Enyimba and Shooting Stars advanced to the next round of the President’s Federation Cup on Wednesday but defending champions Bendel Insurance were sent packing by second division side Wikki Tourists.

Round of 32 matches were decided on Wednesday on a day that marked the return of top flight teams to competitive football after three weeks cooling off while Rivers United prosecuted their outstanding league games.

Shooting Stars won the battle of Stars in the biggest game of the day which involved two former winners at the Awka Stadium. Christian Pyagbara and Adams Mustapha scored in either half to give Gbenga Ogunbote a 2-0 win over his former side.

In another all-NPFL encounter, Rivers United edged Niger Tornadoes for the second time in four days, this time beating Ikon Allah Boys 1-0 in Benin City courtesy of Andy Okpe’s fine finish in the 73rd minute.

In Yenagoa, ten-man Enyimba saw off a stubborn FC One Rocket side 1-0 courtesy of a first half header by Chijioke Mbaoma while Samson Olasupo’s 69th minute effort handed Katsina United a 1-0 win over Bayelsa United in Abuja.

Also in Abuja, two second half goals by Promise Damala and Aremu Owolabi gave Wikki Tourists a shock 2-0 win over reigning Cup champions Bendel Insurance but 2019 champions Kano Pillars beat Doma United 1-0 via a last gasp strike by Rabiu Ali.

Sunshine Stars head coach Kennedy Boboye got one over his former employers Plateau United as the Owena Whales beat United 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Abuja. Winger Opeoluwa Olufemi netted a late equaliser for Stars before they went on to win it in shootout.

Round of 16 matches are billed to hold next midweek.


President Federation Cup Round of 32 results:

FC ONE Rockets 0-1 Enyimba

Shooting Stars 2-0 Lobi Stars

Sunshine Stars 1-1 (4-3) Plateau United

Harmmola 0-0 (1-4) Inter Lagos

Katsina United 1-0 Bayelsa United

Warri Wolves 0-1 Kwara United

Nasarawa United 0-1 Sokoto United

Doma United 0-1 Kano Pillars

Bendel Insurance 0-2 Wikki Tourists