Empty Stadium, As Enyimba Lift Inauguration Cup

Football fans stayed away from the Abuja national stadium Saturday evening, when the Nigeria Premier League champions, Enyimba of Aba clinched the Presidential Inauguration Cup, beating Kano Pillars 6-5 on penalties after full time scores ended 1-1.

Also, president Jonathan, who was at a church service held simultaneously at 6 pm to commemorate his inauguration, did not witness the match.

Enyimba took the lead after 19 minutes through Uche Kalu in a match played under heavy downpour in Abuja.

Pillars drew level in the second half from the penalty spot of an encounter played with two 30 minutes halves.

Substitute Nasiru Ali was brought down inside the box and striker Gambo Mohammed sent goalkeeper Chijoke Ejiogu the wrong way.

However, in the penalty shootout, Enyimba won 6-5 to cart away a glittering trophy.

It was an encounter between two biggest crowd pullers in the Nigerian top league, but the spectators were not there to enjoy the game.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles were earlier scheduled to play the match against Egypt but the Egyptian FA opted out of the arrangement.

By Tunde Oyedele