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FEDERATION CUP

Enyimba in another crunchy duel as Federation Cup enters Round of 32

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Four time Federation Cup winners, Enyimba have been handed another potentially tough fixture as the 2023 Federation Cup enters the Round of 32.

The Aba Elephants had survived a Premier League side, Rivers United in the Round of 64 and again still have another Premier League side, Plateau United to face.

Plateau United side broke the jinx that apparently afflicted Jos in the national cup when they won the then FA Cup in 1999. Twice in 1993 and 1998, they were runners up.

The Enyimba – Plateau United duel will hold on Wednesday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin.

At the NFF/FIFA Goal Project in Abuja, multi-titlists Rangers International of Enugu will do battle with Kano Pillars, while the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano plays host to the potentially-explosive encounter between Mighty Jets of Jos and Gombe United FC.

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A total of 16 matches will be disputed in the men’s category, all scheduled for Wednesday, while seven matches will be played in the women’s competition with Bayelsa Queens having reached the last eight without kicking a ball, following the unfortunate accident involving opponents Dannaz Ladies.

In Lokoja, Nasarawa Amazons – one of the establishment – will clash with Naija Ratels of FCT in a match slated for Thursday as the six other matches in the women’s competition.

FC Robo Queens of Lagos will make it a date with Royal Queens of Delta State in Awka while Rivers Angels are up against Osun Babes in Warri.  

FEDERATION CUP: ROUND OF 32 FIXTURES (MEN)

  • Heartland FC (Imo) Vs Essien Ayi FC (Cross River) – Awka – 10/05/23 – 2pm
  • Ahudiya (Abia) Vs Bendel Insurance (Edo) – Calabar – 10/05/23 – 4pm
  • Standard FC (Kaduna) Vs Sunshine Stars (Ondo) – Lokoja – 10/05/23 – 4pm
  • EFCC FC (FCT) Vs Akwa United (Akwa Ibom) – Awka – 10/05/23 – 4pm
  • Warri Wolves (Delta) Vs 3SC (Oyo) – Owerri – 10/05/23 – 4pm
  • Mighty Jets (Plateau) Vs Gombe United (Gombe) – Kano – 10/05/23 – 4pm
  • Osun United (Osun) Vs Insurance Feeders (Edo) – Lagos – 10/05/23 – 4pm
  • Cynosure FC (Ebonyi) Vs Lobi Stars (Benue) – Abuja Area 3 – 10/05/23 – 4pm
  • Plateau United (Plateau) Vs Enyimba FC – Benin City – 10/05/23
  • Ingas FC (Enugu) Vs El-Kanemi Warriors (Borno) – Kaduna – 10/05/23 – 4pm
  • Nasarawa United (Nasarawa) Vs DMD FC (Borno) – Bauchi – 10/05/23 – 4pm
  • Ikorodu City (Lagos) Vs Kwara United (Kwara) – Osogbo – 10/05/23 – 4pm
  • FC Ebedei (Ekiti) Vs Igbajo FC (Osun) – Ibadan – 10/05/23 – 4pm
  • Rangers Int’l (Enugu) Vs Kano Pillars (Kano) – Abuja Goal Project – 10/05/23 – 4pm
  • FR Ebunuja (Imo) Vs Doma United (Gombe) – Abuja Area 3 – 10/05/23 – 2pm
  • Edel FC (Anambra) Vs Mailantarki FC (FCT) – Akure – 10/05/23 – 4pm

FEDERATION CUP: ROUND OF 16 FIXTURES (WOMEN)

  • Bayelsa Queens Vs Dannaz Ladies (Dannaz Ladies were involved in an accident cannot continue in the competition)
  • Fortress FC (Edo) Vs Honey Badgers (Benue) – Lokoja – 11/05/23 – 2pm
  • Heartland Queens (Imo) Vs Lakeside Queens (Ogun) – Warri – 11/05/23 – 2pm
  • Edo Queens (Edo) Vs Maureen Mmadu FC (Abia) – Calabar – 11/05/23 – 4pm
  • Robo Queens (Lagos) Vs Royal Queens (Delta) – Awka – 11/05/23 – 4pm
  • Nasarawa Amazons (Nasarawa) Vs Naija Ratels (FCT) – Lokoja – 11/05/23 – 4pm
  • Rivers Angels (Rivers) Vs Osun Babes (Osun) – Warri – 11/05/23 – 4pm
  • Moje Queens (Kwara) Vs Delta Queens (Delta) – Lagos – 11/05/23 – 4pm

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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FEDERATION CUP

President Federation Cup: Heavyweights Battle For Women’s Quarter-Final Tickets

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Sefending champions, Rivers United

The battle for a place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 President Federation Cup women’s competition will take centre stage on Monday as eight thrilling Round of 16 fixtures are set to be played across different centres in the country.

Defending champions Rivers Angels will face Abia Angels in one of the standout fixtures billed for the Eket Township Stadium in Akwa Ibom State, with kick-off scheduled for 4 pm.

In Akure, Lagos-based FC Robo Queens will square up against Remo Stars Ladies in a South-West derby expected to produce fireworks, while Ahudiyannem Queens confront Heartland Queens in Enugu in another early kick-off fixture slated for 1 pm.

Bayelsa Queens, one of the pre-tournament favourites, will take on Ibom Angels in Awka, as Plateau United Queens tackle Sunshine Queens in Abuja in matches expected to test the ambitions of the title contenders.

Confluence Queens will also battle Esthington FC in Enugu, while the Oriental derby between Delta Queens and Edo Queens in Awka is expected to headline the day’s fixtures because of the long-standing rivalry between both sides.

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In Kaduna, Naija Ratels will slug it out with Nasarawa Amazons in what promises to be another keenly contested encounter between two top women’s football sides.

With places in the last eight at stake, fans are expected to witness intense competition as clubs continue their quest for national silverware in Nigeria’s oldest domestic cup competition.

All matches will be decided on Monday, June 2, across the designated venues.

President Federation Cup: Women’s Round of 16 Fixtures

Rivers Angels Vs Abia Angels – Eket, Akwa Ibom (02/06/26): 4 pm

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FC Robo Queens Vs Remo Stars Ladies – Akure (02/06/26): 1 pm

Ahudiyannem Queens Vs Heartland Queens – Enugu (02/06/26): 1 pm

Ibom Angels Vs Bayelsa Queens – Awka (02/06/26): 1 pm

Plateau United Queens Vs Sunshine Queens – Abuja (02/06/26): 4 pm

Confluence Queens Vs Esthington FC – Enugu (02/06/26): 4 pm

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Delta Queens Vs Edo Queens – Awka (02/06/26): 4 pm

Naija Ratels Vs Nasarawa Amazons – Kaduna (02/06/26): 4 pm

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FEDERATION CUP

Federation Cup Rekindles Explosive Rangers-Rivers United NPFL Rivalry

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By Kunle Solaja.

The race for domestic football supremacy in Nigeria is set to continue in the President’s Federation Cup as the Round of 32 fixtures throw up several high-profile clashes, including a heavyweight showdown between Rangers International F.C. and Rivers United F.C.

Fresh from their fierce battle for honours in the just-concluded Nigeria Premier Football League season, the two sides will meet again at the Uyo Township Stadium on June 1 in what is widely expected to be the star fixture of the round.

The clash rekindles the rivalry between the league champions and runners-up, with both clubs eager to continue their pursuit of silverware in Nigeria’s oldest football competition.

Another intriguing fixture will see relegated sides Wikki Tourists F.C. and Bayelsa United F.C. battle in Lafia in a contest between two teams seeking redemption after disappointing league campaigns.

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Defending champions Kwara United F.C. begin the defence of their title against Sokoto United F.C. at the Area 3 Stadium in Abuja.

Former champions Bendel Insurance F.C. will take on Crown F.C. in Lagos, while Enyimba International F.C. will face Gombe United F.C. in Makurdi.

Other notable fixtures include El-Kanemi Warriors F.C. against Akwa United F.C. in Abuja, and Shooting Stars Sports Club taking on Kada City F.C. in Minna.

The full Round of 32 fixtures are scheduled for June 1 across various centres in the country.

Fixtures:

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  • Kwara United F.C. vs Sokoto United F.C. – Abuja Area 3
  • Sapele Lions vs Adamawa United F.C. – Makurdi
  • Bendel Insurance F.C. vs Crown F.C. – Lagos
  • El-Kanemi Warriors F.C. vs Akwa United F.C. – Abuja FIFA Goal Project
  • Shooting Stars Sports Club vs Kada City F.C. – Minna
  • Wikki Tourists F.C. vs Bayelsa United F.C. – Lafia
  • Bida Lions vs Warri Wolves F.C. – Osogbo
  • Flight FC vs Mighty Jets F.C. – Lafia
  • Rivers United F.C. vs Rangers International F.C. – Uyo Township Stadium
  • Ejigbo City vs Nasarawa United F.C. – Benin City
  • Kogi United vs Plateau United F.C. – Lafia
  • Ingas FC vs FC Basira – Anyigba
  • Ikorodu City F.C. vs Jigawa Golden Stars – Anyigba
  • Enyimba International F.C. vs Gombe United F.C. – Makurdi
  • Sunshine Stars U-19 vs Warinje FC – Abuja Area 3
  • Barau FC vs Abakaliki F.C. – Abuja Bwari.

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FEDERATION CUP

Federation Cup Delivers Early Shock as Sapele Lions Eliminate Katsina United

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Former champions Enyimba F.C., Rangers International F.C., Rivers United F.C. and Bendel Insurance F.C. safely progressed to the next round of the President Federation Cup on Tuesday, but the opening round of fixtures also produced a major upset as Nigeria Premier Football League side Katsina United F.C. crashed out to non-league side Sapele Lions after a dramatic penalty shootout.

The Round of 64 fixtures played across different centres in the country delivered the usual mixture of dominance, tension and surprise associated with Nigeria’s oldest domestic cup competition.

One of the most convincing performances came from Enyimba, who brushed aside El Sharma FC 4-0 to underline their ambition of reclaiming the prestigious trophy. Rivers United were equally comfortable in a 2-0 victory over G12 FC, while Ikorodu City produced the biggest win of the day with a commanding 4-0 demolition of GAA Akanbi FC.

Defending champions Kwara United F.C. were pushed to the limit by Sporting Supreme before eventually surviving 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation time.

There was also relief for Nasarawa United F.C., who defeated Westgate FC 3-1 in Anyigba, while Plateau United edged Ahudiannem FC 2-1 in a difficult encounter.

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However, the biggest shock of the day came in Katsina where Katsina United squandered a 2-2 draw against Sapele Lions before collapsing 3-1 in the penalty shootout to suffer an embarrassing early exit.

In Maiduguri, El-Kanemi Warriors secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Krusader FC, while Bendel Insurance overcame Katsina United Junior 2-1 in another tightly contested fixture.

Bayelsa United defeated OISA FC 2-0, and Akwa United cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Wilbros FC.

Rangers International also avoided a potential upset after grinding out a hard-fought 1-0 win over Godswill Akpabio FC, while Wikki Tourists defeated Jigawa Golden Stars 2-0 in an all-Northern affair.

One of the surprise results involving top-flight opposition saw Sunshine Stars U19 stun Niger Tornadoes F.C. 2-1, adding further evidence that this year’s competition may again favour giant-killing performances from lower-tier teams.

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Elsewhere, Adamawa United survived a major scare before defeating Agbana Wonderful FA 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, while Ingas FC edged Edel FC 1-0.

The competition continues on Wednesday with several Nigeria Premier Football League clubs entering action, including Shooting Stars S.C., who will face Kebbi United in Abuja, and Warri Wolves F.C., who take on Stormers FC in Benin City.

Other fixtures scheduled for Wednesday include Kogi United against Lobi Stars in Abuja, Beyond Limits versus Bida Lions in Ilorin, Mighty Jets against Adanimogo FC in Minna, and Kanta Warriors against FC Basira.

The remaining Round of 64 fixture between ABU DLC and Abakaliki FC is scheduled for Thursday in Makurdi.

The President Federation Cup remains Nigeria’s most unpredictable domestic football competition, with lower-division sides traditionally using the tournament to challenge the dominance of elite clubs and create some of the country’s most memorable football upsets.

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