Two-time African champions Enyimba defeated Dolphins 2-1 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos on Sunday to claim their fourth Federation Cup title.
Mfon Udoh and Chinonso Okonkwo gave Enyimba a two-goal lead before Emem Eduok halved the scoreline.
Udoh shook off a bout of malaria to start the match for Enyimba while Rasheed Olabiyi and Nzube Anaezemba started from the bench.
Dolphins head coach Stanley Eguma left Ifeanyi Egwim and Isiaka Olawale on the bench while he stuck to the striking pair of Eduok and Ebube Okpokwu.
It was Dolphins that had the better of the opening half and as early as the second minute Chidiebere Okolie’s effort was saved by Enyimba goalkeeper Femi Thomas.
In the fourth minute, Eduok hit the ball right-footed but Thomas saved again.
Enyimba’s lethargic start to the game continued as Eduok and Okpokwu had the chance to score but could not finish off.
Dolphins continued to knock on the door of Enyimba but could not make their chances count.
Two minutes into the restart Enyimba head coach Kadiri Ikhana sent on Olabiyi and Anaezemba for Razak Aliyu and Emeka Nwanna respectively and those substitutions paid off.
In the 52nd minute, Udoh opened the score. He received the ball from Markson Ojobo and skipped past Victor Ezuruike before letting fly with his left foot past Sunday Rotimi in Dolphins’ goal.
Three minutes later, Udoh nearly made it two after Kingsley Sokari played him through on goal. His attempt to pick an angle was saved by Rotimi.
With 17 minutes to full time, Enyimba doubled their lead. Ezuruike dilly-dallied over the ball and allowed Udoh to steal it off him before laying a pass to Okonkwo to hit it past Rotimi for Enyimba’s second of the game.
In the 80th minute, Eduok did well to stay onside and Egwim slipped him through to finish and give Dolphins a lifeline at 2-1.
Enyimba nearly restored their two-goal lead inside added time through a counter-attacking move. Sokari passed to Udoh, who backheeled to Okonkwo, whose shot was palmed away by Rotimi.
But the People’s Elephant at this time had done enough to claim their second Cup title for the second successive year.