Dolphins FC after ninety minutes of entertaining football thrashed Lobi Stars 4-2 to qualify for the semifinals of the Federation Cup.
But the score line would have flattered Lobi as Dolphins dominated play from the start of the game up till its very end and missed lots of scoring chances.
As early as the 1st minute Emem Eduok missed what could have been the fastest goal of this year’s competition but failed to score.
Two minutes later, Emem Eduok beat the off side trap, faced the Lobi keeper but his left footed effort went wide.
In the 5th minute it was Chizoba Amaefule who ran down the flank and crossed into the box, but a header from Ebube Okpokwu went wide.
In the 7th minute it was Ifeanyi Egwim who found space in the middle, made his way into the Lobi box but was felled by a defender though there was no penalty given.
Dolphins had so much control but could not find a way in.
But in 23rd minute, the goal eventually came as Emem Eduok scored his third goal of the tournament to make it 1-0 for Dolphins.
In the heat of the moment, Lobi Stars vice chairman, Dominic Iorfa took over coaching duties from Evans Ogenyi, shouting out instructions from the technical area, while Ogenyi sat on his seat looking deflated.
In the 33rd minute, Iorfa took out Kingsley Ashu and replaced him with Johnbull.
One minute before half time and Lobi had their closest chance yet when Bunde made his way through two Dolphins defenders, but Sunday Rotimi ensured the clean sheet remained, at least till half time.
Five minutes into the second half and a moment of loss of concentration from the Dolphins defence gave Adamu Shaibu a chance to equalize for Lobi, but Dolphins threw everything into the game and four minutes after the restart, Ebube Okpokwu latched in on a cross from Eduok to put his side back in front.
Bolaji Sarkin came in for a tired Ifeanyi Egwim and it was still one way traffic for Dolphins.
In the 66th minute, Okpokwu had a chance to make it three with another sublime cross from Eduok but his effort went wide.
One minute later, Ebube Okpokwu had the ball at his feet in the six yard box with the keeper out of the way but he surprisingly blasted wide.
But Bolaji Sarkin put the nail in the head of the Lobi team when after a flurry of passes, he blasted home to make it 3-1
Victor Alegbe replaced Chidiebere Okolie, his first game after a long injury lay off and two minutes later, in the 88 minute he made it 4-1 for Dolphins.
With 2 minutes of added time shown, Audu Seriki pulled one back to make scores 4-2.
Lobi Stars coach, Evens Ogenyi conceded victory and superiority to Dolphins.
“They were the luckier and better side. I have already gone to congratulate their coach. They deserved the victory. They got their chances and took them,” Ogenyi said.
Stanley Eguma of Dolphins was not happy with his players from missing several scoring chances.
“We keep working on goal scoring but the same things happen over and over again. I think it’s a loss of concentration that caused it.
“I’m not surprised at the score line and how we played because we have worked hard for this,” Eguma said.
Dolphins play Prime FC in the Federation Cup semi finals.
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