Ocean Boys lift Coca-Cola FA Cup - Beat Gombe Utd 7-6 via penalties

John Akpodovhan, Makurdi - 06.07.2008

Venus williams,left, holding her Shield
with her sister, Serena after winning the
women’s Wimbledon championship on
Saturday at The All England Tennis Club
in Southwest London. PHOTO:AFPOCEAN Boys of Brass on Saturday at the Aper Aku stadium, Makurdi came from behind twice to beat Gombe United 7-6 via penalties, in the final of this year’s Coca-Cola FA Cup after a 2-2 draw at regulation time.

The team from the Niger Delta which won the Globacom premier league in 2006 will represent Nigeria in the Confederation Cup next year alongside arch rivals, Bayelsa United which finished third in the Globacom premier league.

Bala Manu put Gombe ahead barely six minutes into the game with a powerful grounder which caught goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa helpless while Joseph Ochuko levelled up before half time, as he stylishly displaced onrushing goalkeeper John Gaadi.

On resumption, substitute Victor Michael put the Danjuma Goje boys ahead again in the 51st minute, before Kingsley Akpososo got a well-deserved equaliser in the 80th minute when he connected a loose ball off a cross from captain Blessing Okardi.

Canada 2007 hero, goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa turned out to be the match hero as he scored the last kick for Ocean Boys during the penalty shoot-out which ensued after 90 minutes of play. An elated Ezenwa went wild in celebration after his golden kick landed in the net as he pulled off his shirt and later the back up which he threw to the crowd who were rooting for him.

Nasarawa United had earlier in the day defeated Enyimba FC 1-0 to win the bronze medal of the FA Cup. Captian Ibrahim Kwaranga told Tribunesports after the match that his team has taken the defeat in good faith.

“We had a good game really but today is not our day. I’m excited that we even played in the final for the first time”, he said. Also speaking, Okardi who lost his kick during the penalty shootout said God made the victory possible.

“I’m sad that I lost my kick but I’m happy that my team still won. We have always believed in God as our motivator”, the Canada 2007 hero said.