FEDERATION CUP
NFF’s ‘Seeding Formula’ Revives Excitement in Federation Cup
By Kunle Solaja.
For the first time in nearly a decade, the Nigeria Football Federation appears to have quietly introduced a seeding arrangement into the President Federation Cup, a move that could restore some of the glamour, suspense and commercial appeal that once made the competition Nigeria’s most exciting domestic football tournament.
The Round of 64 fixtures released on Friday in Abuja showed a deliberate pattern in which Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs were largely shielded from facing one another in the opening round, a significant departure from recent editions where top-flight teams often eliminated themselves early in the competition.
The development immediately sparked discussions among followers of Nigerian football, especially as the world’s biggest football tournaments — including the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League and Africa Cup of Nations — rely on seeding systems to preserve competitive balance and sustain fan interest deep into the competition.
Defending champions Kwara United appear to have benefited from the arrangement, drawing relatively unknown Sporting Supreme U19 in what looks a favourable opening fixture.
Record cup winners Rangers International, who are chasing a seventh Federation Cup title, were paired against Godswill Akpabio FC, while title-chasing Rivers United will confront Lagos-based G12 FC as they continue their search for a first-ever national cup triumph.
The pattern is repeated across the draw, with most NPFL clubs avoiding direct confrontation against fellow elite sides.
Shooting Stars, still battling for a continental ticket through the league, will face Kebbi United. The Ibadan club are currently pursuing CAF Confederation Cup qualification from two fronts — through their strong NPFL campaign and the longer Federation Cup route.
The Oluyole Warriors have not won a major national title since lifting the league crown in 1998, and the cup competition may yet provide a realistic path back to continental football.
Another club with continental ambitions, Ikorodu City, were drawn against Gaa Akanbi FC in a fixture many observers believe favours the Lagos side.
Ikorodu City’s season, however, could be defined by two crucial matches within days — the Federation Cup tie and their decisive NPFL clash against title contenders Rangers International, a game already generating huge anticipation because of its implications at both ends of the table.
The apparent seeding arrangement could also help preserve the presence of crowd-pulling clubs into the latter stages of the tournament, potentially reviving television interest, gate takings and nationwide attention that the competition once commanded in the eras of Bendel Insurance, Stationery Stores, Enugu Rangers and Iwuanyanwu Nationale.
In previous seasons, random draws frequently produced all-NPFL clashes in the early rounds, leading to premature exits for some of the competition’s biggest clubs and reducing the intensity of later stages.
This time, however, traditional heavyweights such as Enyimba FC, Bendel Insurance, El-Kanemi Warriors and Niger Tornadoes all begin against lower-ranked or lesser-known opponents.
Whether the NFF formally acknowledges the use of seeding or not, the structure of the draw has already created optimism that the Federation Cup may once again regain the unpredictability, drama and nationwide fascination that historically distinguished it from the league competition.
Among standout fixtures in the Round of 64 are:
- Kwara United vs Sporting Supreme U19
- G12 FC vs Rivers United
- Godswill Akpabio FC vs Rangers International
- Kebbi United vs Shooting Stars
- Ikorodu City vs Gaa Akanbi FC
- El Sharma FC vs Enyimba FC
- Sunshine Stars vs Niger Tornadoes
- Bendel Insurance vs Katsina United Jnr.
Women’s Competition:
- Rivers Angels Vs NAF Queens
- Abia Angels Vs Ikukuoma Queens
- FC Robo Queens Vs Rangers Women
- Remo Stars Ladies Vs Onimarg FC
- Ahudiannem Queens Vs Moje Queens
- Heartland Queens Vs Dragon Fury Ladies
- Ibom Angels Vs Fortress Ladies
- Pacesetter Queens Vs Bayelsa Queens
- Osun Babes Vs Plateau United Queens
- Sunshine Queens Vs Solo Wonders
- Confluence Queens Vs Gallant Queens
- Fuoye Queens Vs Esthington FC
- Delta Queens Vs Royal Queens
- Edo Queens Vs Ghetto Tiger Queens
- Naija Ratels Vs Mighty Jets Mata
- Osklean FC Vs Nasarawa Amazons
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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.
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
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
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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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.
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:
- 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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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.
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.
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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