FEDERATION CUP
Round of 64 duel throw up a repeat of 2018 Federation Cup final match
The draw for the 2024 Federation Cup has thrown up a repeat of the 2018 final match as Enugu Rangers face crowd-pulling Kano Pillars in the Round of 64.
In the 2018 final match in Asaba, Enugu Rangers came back from three-goal down to stalemate scores and eventually won 4-3 on penalties.
In this season, both teams will be meeting for the third time following a 1-1 draw in Kano and a 4-1 win by Rangers in Enugu in the on-going Nigeria Premier League.
The Round of 64 Federation Cup is obviously the star match as last year’s runners-up, Enugu Rangers will go up against Kano Pillars.
At the national draw conducted inside the NFF Secretariat on Thursday, the two former winners were drawn together, with Cup holders Bendel Insurance to face Ogun State flag bearers, Stormers Sports Club.
High-riding Shooting Stars of Ibadan must negotiate for a place in the Round of 32 with Solution FC, while two-time CAF Champions League winners Enyimba FC of Aba must overpower Warinje FC from Bauchi, a survivor of the National Play-offs.
In the women’s draw, Cup holders Bayelsa Queens are up against Bright Future Queens, while Rivers Angels will tango with Ekiti Queens and Delta Queens tackle Fortress Ladies.
Last year’s runners-up Rivers Angels confront Ekiti Queens, with Delta Queens clashing with Fortress Ladies and Edo Queens to battle it out with Kada Queens.
At the draw, NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau assured that the Federation is committed to restoring the glamour and glitz of the oldest football championship in the land, while also pledging that the integrity of the competition will be maintained all through the men’s and women’s competitions till the Grand Finale.
Also at the draw were NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi; Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme; Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire; Director of Finance and Admin, Babatunde Akinsanya; Director of Competitions, Ruth David; COO, Nigeria National League, Dr. Ayo Abdulrahaman; Head of Marketing, Alizor Chuks; Head of Protocol, Barnabas Joro; Head of Women’s Football, Amina Daura; Head of National Competitions, Danlami Alanana; Member, Cross River State FA Board, Barr. Tom Agi; Special Assistant to NFF President, Abubakar Danladi; Special Assistant to General Secretary, Mohammed Ameenu and; Member, NFF Women’s Football Committee, Harry Awurumibe.
ROUND OF 64: MEN’S DRAW
Bendel Insurance (Edo) Vs Stormers SC (Ogun)
Wikki Tourists (Bauchi) Vs Jr. Danburan (Katsina)
Osun United (Osun) Vs EFCC FC (FCT)
Edel FC (Anambra) Vs Discovery Talent FC (Kebbi)
Zamfara United (Zamfara) Vs ABS FC (Kwara)
Kebbi United (Kebbi) Vs Ine Stars (Edo)
Akwa United (Akwa Ibom) Vs Cynosure FC (Ebonyi)
Mighty Jets (Plateau) Vs Zamfara United Feeders (Zamfara)
Gombe United (Gombe) Vs Karim United (Taraba)
El-Kanemi Warriors (Borno) Vs Adanimogo FC (Ondo)
Lobi Stars (Benue) Vs Delta Marine (Delta)
Shooting Stars (Oyo) Vs Solution FC (Anambra)
Ikorodu City (Lagos) Vs Green Berets (Kaduna)
Coal City (Enugu) Vs Ekiti United Feeders (Ekiti)
Beyond Limits (Ogun) Vs Hammola Int’l (Osun)
Inter Lagos (Lagos) Vs May Frank (Cross River)
Warri Wolves (Delta) Vs Lautai FC (Jigawa)
Kwara United (Kwara) Vs Rovers FC (Cross River)
Abia Warriors (Abia) Vs Ilaji FC (Oyo)
Sporting Supreme (FCT) Vs PCM FC (Ebonyi)
Nasarawa United (Nasarawa) Vs FC Bako (Kobi)
Sokoto United (Sokoto) Vs Ofirima FC (Rivers)
FC One Rocket (Akwa Ibom) Vs Fr. Eburuaja (Imo)
Enyimba FC (Abia) Vs Warinje FC (Bauchi)
Plateau United (Plateau) Vs Ekiti United (Ekiti)
Sunshine Stars (Ondo) Vs Jedo Academy (Sokoto)
Rivers United (Rivers) Vs Ikukuoma FC (Imo)
Niger Tornadoes (Niger) Vs Niger Tornadoes Feeders (Niger)
Katsina United (Katsina) Vs Dutse Strikers (Jigawa)
Bayelsa United (Bayelsa) Vs FC Basira (Nasarawa)
Doma United (Gombe) Vs Gamji Eaglets (Taraba)
Kano Pillars (Kano) Vs Rangers Int’l (Enugu)
ROUND OF 32: WOMEN’S DRAW
Bayelsa Queens (Bayelsa) Vs Bright Future Queens (Enugu)
Nasarawa Amazons (Nasarawa) Vs Suit De Queens (Oyo)
Dannaz Ladies (Lagos) Vs Mighty Jets Mata (Plateau)
Remo Stars Ladies (Ogun) Vs OSKE Leans (Rivers)
Abia Angels (Abia) Vs Castmong Ladies (Ogun)
Naija Ratels (FCT) Vs ON Youth Academy (FCT)
Heartland Queens (Imo) Vs GoldenSun FC (Bayelsa)
FC Robo Queens (Lagos) Vs Onimang FC (Ondo)
Kwara Ladies (Kwara) Vs Ahudiya Nnem Queens (Abia)
Delta Queens (Delta) Vs Fortress Ladies (Edo)
Sunshine Queens (Ondo) Vs Green Foot FC (Enugu)
Plateau United Ladies (Plateau) Vs Honey Badgers (Benue)
Gallant FC (Kaduna) Vs Osun Babes (Osun)
Confluence Queens (Kogi) Vs Delta Ladies (Delta)
Edo Queens (Edo) Vs Kada Queens (Kaduna)
Ekiti Queens (Ekiti) Vs Rivers Angels (Rivers)
FEDERATION CUP
Women teams begin quest for President Federation Cup
The women’s teams will commence their quest in this year’s President Federation Cup competition at the national level on Wednesday next week, when the Round of 32 matches will be played in nine centres across the Federation.
Uyo, Enugu, Asaba, Lafia, Ibadan, Benin City, Akure, Auchi and Abuja will host the 16 games. Thirteen of the matches will hold on Wednesday while the remaining three, in Asaba and Benin City, will take place on Thursday.
Cup holders Bayelsa Queens are up against Bright Future Queens of Enugu at the Uyo Township Stadium, while last year’s runners-up Rivers Angels tackle Ekiti Queens in Asaba.
Nasarawa Amazons will confront Suit De Queens from Oyo State in Enugu while Delta Queens take on Fortress Ladies of Edo in Akure.
WOMEN’S ROUND OF 32 MATCHES
Bayelsa Queens (Bayelsa) Vs Bright Future Queens (Enugu) – Uyo – 08/05/24 – 4pm
Nasarawa Amazons (Nasarawa) Vs Suit De Queens (Oyo) – Enugu – 08/05/24 – 4pm
Dannaz Ladies (Lagos) Vs Mighty Jets Mata (Plateau) – Enugu – 08/05/24 – 1pm
Remo Stars Ladies (Ogun) Vs Oske Leans (Rivers) – Asaba – 08/05/24 – 4pm
Abia Angels (Abia) Vs Castmong Ladies (Ogun) – Asaba – 08/05/24 – 1pm
Naija Ratels (FCT) Vs ON Youth Academy (FCT) – Lafia – 08/05/24 – 1pm
Heartland Queens (Imo) Vs Golden Sun (Bayelsa) – Asaba – 09/05/24 – 1pm
FC Robo Queens (Lagos) Vs Onimang FC (Ondo) – Ibadan – 08/05/24 – 4pm
Kwara Ladies (Kwara) Vs Ahudiya Queens (Abia) – Benin City – 08/05/24 – 1pm
Delta Queens (Delta) Vs Fortress Ladies (Edo) – Akure – 08/05/24 – 4pm
Sunshine Queens (Ondo) Vs Green Foot (Enugu) – Benin City – 08/05/24 – 4pm
Plateau United Ladies (Plateau) Vs Honey Badgers (Benue) – Lafia – 08/05/24 – 4pm
Gallant FC (Kaduna) Vs Osun Babes (Osun) – Auchi – 08/05/24 – 4pm
Confluence Queens (Kogi) Vs Delta Ladies (Delta) – Benin City – 09/05/24 – 4pm
Edo Queens (Edo) Vs Kada Queens (Kaduna) – Abuja – 08/05/24 – 4pm
Ekiti Queens (Ekiti) Vs Rivers Angels (Rivers) – Asaba – 09/05/24 – 4pm
Meanwhile, the men’s Round of 64 games will hold on Wednesday and Thursday this week in Abuja, Kaduna, Owerri, Lafia, Awka, Enugu, Benin City, Ibadan, Asaba, Ilorin, Aba and Kano. The 32 matches will produce the candidate-teams for the Round of 32.
MEN’S ROUND OF 64 MATCHES
Bendel Insurance (Edo) Vs Stormers SC (Ogun) – Abuja Area 3 – 01/05/24 – 4pm
Wikki Tourists (Bauchi) Vs Jr. Danburan (Katsina) – Kaduna ABS – 01/05/24 – 1pm
Osun United (Osun) Vs EFCC FC (FCT) – Awka – 01/05/24 – 4pm
Edel FC (Anambra) Vs Discovery Talent FC (Kebbi) – Abuja Goal Project – 02/05/24 – 1pm
Zamfara United (Zamfara) Vs ABS FC (Kwara) – Abuja Bwari – 01/05/24 – 4pm
Kebbi United (Kebbi) Vs Ine Stars (Edo) – Abuja Area 3 – 01/05/24 – 1pm
Akwa United (Akwa Ibom) Vs Cynosure FC (Ebonyi) – Owerri – 01/05/24 – 4pm
Mighty Jets (Plateau) Vs Zamfara United Feeders (Zamfara) – Kaduna ABS – 02/05/24 – 4pm
Gombe United (Gombe) Vs Karim United (Taraba) – Bauchi – 01/05/24 – 1pm
El-Kanemi Warriors (Borno) Vs Adanimogo FC (Ondo) – Lafia – 01/05/24 – 4pm
Lobi Stars (Benue) Vs Delta Marine (Delta) – Enugu – 01/05/24 – 4pm
Shooting Stars (Oyo) Vs Solution FC (Anambra) – Benin City – 01/05/24 – 4pm
Ikorodu City (Lagos) Vs Green Berets (Kaduna) – Ilorin – 01/05/24 – 4pm
Coal City (Enugu) Vs Ekiti United Feeders (Ekiti) – Asaba – 01/05/24 – 4pm
Beyond Limits (Ogun) Vs Hammola Int’l (Osun) – Ibadan – 01/05/24 – 4pm
Inter Lagos (Lagos) Vs May Frank (Cross River) – Asaba – 02/05/24 – 4pm
Warri Wolves (Delta) Vs Lautai FC (Jigawa) – Abuja Area 3 – 02/05/24 – 4pm
Kwara United (Kwara) Vs Rovers FC (Cross River) – Enugu – 01/05/24 – 1pm
Abia Warriors (Abia) Vs Ilaji FC (Oyo) – Benin City – 02/05/24 – 4pm
Sporting Supreme (FCT) Vs PCM FC (Ebonyi) – Asaba – 01/05/24 – 1pm
Nasarawa United (Nasarawa) Vs FC Bako (Kogi) – Kaduna ABS – 01/05/24 – 4pm
Sokoto United (Sokoto) Vs Ofirima FC (Rivers) – Lafia – 02/05/24 – 4pm
FC One Rocket (Akwa Ibom) Vs Fr. Eburuaja (Imo) – Aba – 01/05/24 – 4pm
Enyimba FC (Abia) Vs Warinje FC (Bauchi) – Ilorin – 02/05/24 – 4pm
Plateau United (Plateau) Vs Ekiti United (Ekiti) – Enugu 02/05/24 – 4pm
Sunshine Stars (Ondo) Vs Jedo Academy (Sokoto) – Abuja Goal Project – 01/05/24 – 4pm
Rivers United (Rivers) Vs Ikukuoma FC (Imo) – Aba – 02/05/24 – 4pm
Niger Tornadoes (Niger) Vs Niger Tornadoes Feeders (Niger) – Abuja Goal Project – 02/05/24 – 4pm
Katsina United (Katsina) Vs Dutse Strikers (Jigawa) – Kano – 01/05/24 – 4pm
Bayelsa United (Bayelsa) Vs FC Basira (Nasarawa) – Enugu – 02/04/24 – 1pm
Doma United (Gombe) Vs Gamji Eaglets (Taraba) – Bauchi – 02/05/24 – 4pm
Kano Pillars (Kano) Vs Rangers Int’l (Enugu) – Abuja Bwari – 02/05/24 – 4pm
FEDERATION CUP
Nigeria football national cup changed name to give it presidential might, says sports minister
Eloquent-speaking Nigeria sports minister, John Owan-Enoh under whose supervision the Nigeria football knock-out competition changed name for the sixth time.
What began as Governor’s Cup and later changed to Challenge Cup, Coca-Cola FA Cup, Federation Cup, Aiteo Cup and Tingo Cup is now President Federation Cup.
The minister explained that the essence is to return charm to the competition that was previously very glamorous.
At a simple, but colourful event packaged by the GTI Asset Management and Trust Ltd, the NFF and the Ministry of Sports at the Westwood Hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos, the sports minister harped on the need to rejuvenate the Nigeria national football cup competition which is open to all clubs irrespective of their status.
He recalled the thrills and frills of the competition which had all the ingredients of knock out games with the attendant upsets. Foremost was when the then Leventis United of Ibadan rose steadily from the third division and became the first lower- division team to win the then Challenge Cup in 1984.
“Today we gather to relaunch the competition as the President Federation Cup, honouring Nigeria’s highest office holder and aligning with the renewed hope agenda of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, fostering national unity and emulating the American Super Bowl as a national football extravaganza.”
The minister stated further that his initiative of the agreement with GTI was to raise the standard of the national football cup competition.
“We aim to reestablish the renamed competition on the national and international football calendar, involving grassroots teams, creating employment for approximately 500,000 Nigerians, engaging a hundred million football enthusiasts, rejuvenating talent pipelines, fostering national pride, and showcasing Nigeria’s greatness globally.
“The President Federation Cup will become President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s legacy.”
FEDERATION CUP
Why ‘Federation’ is inserted in President Cup, says Gusau
It took a while before the new name of the all-Nigeria national football competition was arrived at. President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau explained that when the discussion to rebrand the national cup began, it was just to be called President Cup.
That was to give it a presidential backing by the highest office in Nigeria. It would have been similar to “The Throne Cup” in Morocco.
Gusau explained that not putting ‘Federation’ in the official name could lead people to mistaken that the NFF was not involved in the competition.
It was for that reason that the name was elongated to read: President Federation Cup.
From the quarter-finals stage, the clubs will be taken care of and also supplied with jerseys. Although the prize money was not announced, it was stated that ‘it will be good.’
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