Cup holders Enyimba retained the Nigeria Federation Cup as they defeated Dolphins 2-1 in the 2014 Federation Cup final at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos on Sunday.
This is Enyimba’s fourth cup triumph having won it also in 2005, 2009 and 2013.
Enyimba will represent Nigeria in the 2015 CAF Champions League after they finished runners-up in the league, while Dolphins will feature in the Confederation Cup as beaten cup finalists.
‘The Peoples Elephant’ got the opening goal through the Nigeria league all-time record goal scorer Mfon Udoh, who powered home a canon from the 30 yards to beat Rotimi Sunday in goal for Dolphins in the 52nd minute.
Chinonso Okonkwo made it 2-0 for Enyimba in the 73rd minute after Udoh stole the ball from Dolphin defender Victor Ezuruike..
Emem Eduok gave Dolphins a lifeline in the 80th minute, when he connected Ifenyi Egwim’s pass to take the scores to 2-1.
Omo Johnson missed a chance to equalise for Dolphins in the added time as he fired wide after he had beaten Ugwu Uwadiegwu.
Dolphins Rotimi Sunday denied Chinonso Okonkwo a brace in the 90+3 minute as he made a save off good counter attack that involved Mfon Udoh and Kingsley Sokari.
The first half belonged to Dolphins, while in the second period Enyimba asserted themselves in the game.
Dolphins top scorer in the season Emem Eduok was denied a goal in the 13th minute after his effort was cleared off the line by Chinedu Udoji.
Udoji was on hand again in the 42th minute to clear Tijani Adamu cross before it would be connected.
In the 44th minute, Ebube Okpokwu dangerous cross misses everybody in Enyimba’s box.
