2026 President Federation Cup: Enyimba Int'l FC soars into Round of 16

Posted : 03 June 2026

Four-time Federation Cup champions Enyimba International FC secured their place in the Round of 16 of the 2026 President Federation Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Gombe United at the McCarthy Stadium in Makurdi.

The tightly contested encounter was settled by another decisive contribution from teenage forward Sule Nelson, whose first-half strike proved enough to separate the two sides and keep Enyimba’s cup ambitions firmly on track.

Fresh from his impressive performances in previous rounds, Nelson continued his rich vein of form, rewarding the faith of the sizeable contingent of supporters who traveled from nearby Otukpo.

The youngster showed composure beyond his years in the 21st minute, calmly finishing off a well-crafted attacking move to hand the People's Elephant the advantage.

Coach Emmanuel Deutsch Gustavo made just one change to the side that comfortably dispatched El-Shama FC in the previous round, with Ekene Awazie coming into the starting lineup for Ezekiel Edidiong.

Enyimba dictated much of the play during the opening half and thought they had doubled their lead shortly before the break when Awazie found the net after a flowing team move.

However, the effort was ruled out for offside, ensuring Gombe United remained within touching distance.

The Aba giants maintained their attacking intent after the restart, creating several opportunities to extend their lead. Substitute Chidera Michael injected energy into the attack and came close on multiple occasions, but a combination of resolute defending and poor fortune denied him a goal.

Gombe United pushed forward in search of an equalizer during the closing stages, but Enyimba’s defence remained organized and disciplined, successfully repelling every threat to preserve their slender advantage.

At the final whistle, Enyimba emerged deserved winners, advancing to the last 16 of Nigeria’s oldest domestic cup competition.

The victory sets up an intriguing all-NPFL clash against Ikorodu City in the next round as the People's Elephant continue their pursuit of a fifth Federation Cup title.

This triumphant advancement highlights Enyimba International FC's structural resilience and tactical maturity under pressure. By maintaining defensive discipline and capitalizing on their attacking momentum, the Aba giants have positioned themselves as formidable contenders in the tournament. The upcoming fixture against Ikorodu City will serve as a crucial test for the team as they look to sustain their winning form and build on this momentum.

2026 President Federation Cup: Enyimba Int'l FC soars into Round of 16

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