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FEDERATION CUP

Heartland’s three-year trophy drought ends

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BY JOHNKENNEDY UZOMA, OWERRI

In their 2-0 defeat of the lesser-known OISA FC Okpala in Sunday’s Imo State final match of the President Federation Cup, former national champions, Heartland FC may have gotten a new lease of life.

It was their first trophy in three years following fluctuating fortunes that best the now rejuvenated side under coach Emmanuel Amuneke.

Escaping relegation at the end of the last minute on technical grounds owing to the ineligibility of Ikenne-based Beyond Limits Academy FC on account of club ownership, Heartland which started the season on a shaky note have navigated their way upstream from the relegation waters.

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They now appear looking to reenact their glorious days as Nigeria club winners as they did in 2012 when they beat Lobi Stars in the Federation Cup final.

Their path to glory begins with their emergence as Imo State Cup winners. They did not make any pretence about their intentions as their early strike paid off as Suraji Lawal opened scoring against OISA on Sunday.  He later put in a second goal.

For the final match, former international and coach, Emmanuel Amuneke took the back seat as his assistant Charles Uzor revelled in the victory.

“I’m proud of my players for their hard work and determination. We deserved the win, and it’s a great boost for our confidence.”

The win is expected to boost Heartland FC’s morale ahead of their upcoming league matches against El-Kanemi of Maiduguri.

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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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