FEDERATION CUP
Federation Cup Delivers Early Shock as Sapele Lions Eliminate Katsina United
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.
Visit the Sports Village Square Channel:
https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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
JOIN THE SPORTS VILLAGE SQUARE CHANNEL ON WHATSAPP:
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.
JOIN THE SPORTS VILLAGE SQUARE CHANNEL: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
An explosive northern derby between Wikki Tourists FC and Jigawa Golden Stars will headline the Round of 64 fixtures of the 2026 President Federation Cup as action begins across Nigeria on Tuesday.
The highly anticipated clash, scheduled for Kaduna, is widely regarded as the standout fixture of the opening round as former Nigeria Premier Football League campaigners battle for a place in the next stage of the country’s oldest domestic cup competition.
Defending champions Kwara United will begin the defence of their title against Sporting Supreme U19 in Anyigba, while giant-killers Kebbi United face a difficult test against Shooting Stars Sports Club in Abuja.
In Makurdi, surprise package Ahudiannem FC will attempt to continue their impressive run when they confront Plateau United, while two-time African champions Enyimba FC are expected to parade their experience against El-Sharma FC in Abuja.
Last year’s beaten finalists Abakaliki FC will take on ABU DLC in Makurdi as they seek another deep run in the competition. Elsewhere, Kogi United face Lobi Stars in Abuja, while Rivers United square up against Lagos-based G12 FC in Benin City.
Traditional powerhouse Enugu Rangers will battle Godswill Akpabio FC in Aba, while Bendel Insurance tackle Katsina United Junior Team in Abuja.
Other notable fixtures include Akwa United against Wilbros FC in Aba, Bayelsa United versus OISA FC in Port Harcourt, and Niger Tornadoes taking on Sunshine Stars U19 in Ilorin.
With several Nigeria Premier Football League sides drawn against ambitious lower-division clubs and academy teams, this year’s Round of 64 is expected to produce the drama, surprises and fierce rivalries traditionally associated with the President Federation Cup.
Men’s Competition: Round of 64 Fixtures
- Kwara United Vs Sporting Supreme U19 – Anyigba (19/05/26): 4pm
- Sokoto United Vs Majoda FC – Lafia (20/05/26): 4pm
- Katsina United Vs Sapele Lions – Abuja Area 3 (19/05/26): 4pm
- Adamawa United Vs Agbana Wonderful Academy – Jos (19/05/26): 4pm
- Bendel Insurance Vs Katsina United Jnr – Abuja Area 3 (19/05/26): 1pm
- Crown FC Vs Cynosure FC – Anyigba (20/05/26): 4pm
- El-Kanemi Warriors Vs Krusaders FC – Makurdi (19/05/26): 4pm
- Akwa United Vs Wilbros FC – Aba (19/05/26): 4pm
- Kebbi United Vs Shooting Stars – Abuja Goal Project (20/05/26): 4pm
- Kada Warriors Vs Campus FC – Anyigba (21/05/26): 4pm
- Wikki Tourists Vs Jigawa GS – Kaduna (19/05/26): 4pm
- Bayelsa United Vs OISA FC – Port Harcourt (19/05/26): 4pm
- Beyond Limits Vs Bida Lions – Ilorin (20/05/26): 4pm
- Stormers FC Vs Warri Wolves – Benin City (20/05/26): 4pm
- Adamawa Academy Vs Flight FC – Bauchi (19/05/26): 4pm
- Mighty Jets Vs Adanimogo FC – Minna (20/05/26): 4pm
- G12 FC Vs Rivers United – Benin City (19/05/26): 4pm
- Godswill Akpabio FC Vs Enugu Rangers – Aba (19/05/26): 1pm
- Sporting Supreme Vs Ejigbo City – Anyigba (20/05/26): 1pm
- Nasarawa United Vs Westgate FC – Anyigba (19/05/26): 1pm
- Kogi United Vs Lobi Stars – Abuja Area 3 (20/05/26): 4pm
- Ahudiannem FC Vs Plateau United – Makurdi (19/05/26): 1pm
- Ingas FC Vs Edel FC – Owerri (19/05/26): 4pm
- Kanta Warriors Vs FC Basira – Minna (20/05/26): 4pm
- Ikorodu City Vs Gaa Akanbi – Ibadan (19/05/26): 4pm
- Jigawa GS Vs E-World FC – Makurdi (20/05/26): 4pm
- El-Sharma FC Vs Enyimba FC – Abuja Bwari (19/05/26): 4pm
- YSFON Stars Vs Gombe United – Abuja Bwari (19/05/26): 1pm
- Sunshine Stars U19 Vs Niger Tornadoes – Ilorin (19/05/26): 4pm
- Warinje FC Vs Bichi First – Jos (20/05/26): 4pm
- Zamfara United Vs Barau FC – Katsina (19/05/26): 4pm
- ABU DLC Vs Abakaliki FC – Makurdi (21/05/26): 4pm
Visit Sports Village Channel for more news:
https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Iwobi Salutes Nigerians Ahead of Landmark 100th Super Eagles Appearance
Falcons Truly Super in 3-0 Defeat of Senegal in Ikenne
Salami and Shooting Stars: A Family Legacy Intertwined with Continental Glory, Says Odegbami
Breaking! Uzoho suspended from Super Eagles’ next match with Sierra Leone
No longer Super League as CAF changes name of its new clubs competition
NIGERIAN FOOTBALL CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SANUSI CHARGES NIGERIAN COACHES TO BE UPRIGHT, DILIGENT
- World Cup1 week ago
Iran beat Gambia as federation seeks FIFA clarity over visas
- World Cup1 week ago
Attack-minded Ivorians bullish ahead of World Cup return
- World Cup5 days ago
Rema, Davido, Burna Boy and Ayra Starr Make FIFA’s Star-Studded World Cup 2026 Official Album
- World Cup4 days ago
Shakira to Headline FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony in Mexico
- World Cup4 days ago
FIFA bans vuvuzelas from World Cup stadiums
- International Football1 day ago
Eriksen Suffers Fresh Collapse During Denmark Friendly, Reviving Memories of Euro 2020 Ordeal
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
Soname Rewards Flamingos with N4.5m Goal Bonus After Guinea Rout
- World Cup1 week ago
Behold! Nigeria’s Gift to the World Cup: 11 Stars, No Super Eagles