The Peoples Elephant, who are the most successful club in Nigeria, came close to winning the league title but lost narrowly to eventual winners, Kano Pillars.
A 1-1 draw against Dolphins in Port Harcourt in their penultimate game of the season put paid to that aspiration.
And now they will be desperate to exert revenge on the Port Harcourt Dwellers and win their fifth Federation Cup title even as the club’s two main strikers will continue their supremacy battle.
Enyimba’s Mfon Udoh picked the Glo Premier League highest goalscorer award with a record 23 goals ahead of Emem Eduok of Dolphins who scored 20 goals. Eduok has scored three goals, while Udoh has two goals to his credit in the Cup race.
The competition returns to Lagos state today Sunday, 23rd November where it all started in 1945, but this time at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
Dolphins have played the Federation Cup final four times in 2001, 2004, 2006 and 2007, winning all of them against Elkanemi in 2001, against Rangers in 2004 and 2007 and against Bendel Insurance in 2006.
Enyimba will be making their seventh appearance in the final and have won it five times.
STARS TO WATCH
ENYIMBA
CHINEDU UDOJI
The Enyimba captain has over the years marshalled his side defence with great aplomb and he is one of the reasons why the Peoples Elephant are in the final of the competition again.
His solid partnership with Markson ojobo will be key in Enyimba retaining the title. And again, it is another opportunity for the well built defender to prove his worth to the national team selectors.
MFON UDOH
The man who broke goals record in the Glo League will continue his battle with Emem Eduok and have another big chance to prove his achievement so far this season was not a fluke.
He has scored two goals in the Federation Cup and will fancy a few more.
DOLPHINS
EMEM EDUOK
Eduok has a chance to pick the topscorers gong in this competition and get one over Enyimba’s Mfom Udoh.
The talented forward has scored three goals so far and he will be relied upon once more to help his side win the trophy for the fifth time.
VICTOR EZURUIKE
Much will be expected from the experienced midfielder who has been one of Dolphins dependable star over the year. A lot will be anticipated from him and his understanding with Eduok will no doubt cause problems for Enyimba’s defence.
ROAD TO FINAL
DOLPHINS
Round of 64
DOLPHINS 3-1 INGAS
ROUND OF 32
DOLPHINS 1-0 KOGI UNITED
ROUND OF 16
DOLPHINS 1-0 EL-KANEMI
QUATER-FINAL
DOLPHINS 4-2 LOBI STARS
SEMI-FINAL
DOLPINS 1-0 PRIME
ENYIMBA
Round of 64
Enyimba 3-1 Sokoto North (pen)
Round of 32
Enyimba 7-6 Tornadoes
Round of 16
Enyimba 2-1 Nembe City
Quarter Final
Enyimba 2-0 Sharks
Semi Final
Enyimba 1-0 Giwa FC
TOP SCORERS CHART
Three Goals
Emem Eduok – Dolphins
Ebube Okpokwu – Dolphins
Two Goals
Mfon Udoh – Enyimba
Raphael Boumsong – Enyimba
Bobby Sokari – Enyimba
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