Defending champions, Enyimba, are out of this year’s Federation Cup following their shock defeat in the Round of 32 game against National League side, Remo Stars.

The reigning champions were initially held to a pulsating 1-1 draw in the regulation time before they were sent packing after they lost the ensuing penalty kicks 3-1 to Remo stars.

Going into Wednesday’s game, the Peoples Elephant were on a nine-match unbeaten run in the Nigeria Premier League and many had expected the Coach Kadiri Ikhana-led team to pull through.

Unfortunately, things did not go well for Enyimba, who were left chasing the game when Paul Ogbonna put Remo Stars in the lead.

Enyimba had to work extra hard to get an equaliser which came through a sublime free kick by Uwa Uwadiegwu but that nonetheless they unceremoniously bowed out in the penalty kicks

While Enyimba Coach Kadiri Ikhana was grappling with his team’s ouster, the bad day soon turned worse as the LMC hit the Coach with a N100,000 fine for unethical and unprofessional behaviour during the Match Day 16 fixture against Abia Warriors.

Aside Enyimba, another big casualty from Wednesday’s Federation Cup Round of 32 games was Kano Pillars who in similar fashion were knocked out by Plateau United via penalty kicks after playing 1-1 in regulation time.

Elsewhere in Calabar, Heartland knocked out Sharks with a lone goal victory helped secured by in-form striker Bright Ejike.

Ejike who is leading scorer in the Nigeria Premier League with nine goals, scored in the 42minute of Wednesday’s game in Calabar.In Kano, Lobi Stars also pulled through with a lone goal win over Niger Tornadoes. The concluding games in the Round of 32 took place in selected centres Thursday.