Last season’s runners-up Enugu Rangers are up for a crunch fixture against fellow Nigeria Premier Football League giants Kano Pillars in the biggest round 64 game of this year’s Federation Cup while reigning champions, Bendel Insurance, begin their title defence against Ogun State-based Nigeria National League side, Stormers FC.
The draw for this year’s tournament was conducted at the Nigeria Football Federation secretariat in Abuja on Thursday.
Thanks to a first half penalty by Osarenkhoe Imade, Insurance beat Rangers 1-0 to end their 43-year wait for a domestic title at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, last season.
League champions Enyimba face Warinje FC from Bauchi, survivors of the national play-offs, while Shooting Stars have a date against another NNL side, Solution FC.
With the second-tier clubs and other divisions dominating the men’s draw, there will be room for upsets in the round, which will also see the likes of struggling NPFL sides Aka United face Cynosure FC of Abakaliki, Sunshine Stars versus Jedo Academy of Sokoto, Plateau United against Ekiti United, just as Abia Warriors play Ilaji FC.
Ogun State winners, Beyond Limits, will face National League One side Hammola FC just as Lagos State champions Ikorodu City are drawn against Green Berets of Kaduna.
In the women’s round of 32 draw, cup holders Bayelsa Queens are up against Bright Future Queens, while last year’s runners-up, Rivers Angels, will be up against Ekiti Queens.
The dates and venues of the men’s round 64 matches and the women’s round 32 games will be announced later by the NFF.
At the draw, NFF president Ibrahim Gusau said the federation was committed to restoring the glamour and glitz of the oldest football championship in the land, pledging that the integrity of the competition would be maintained all through the men and women’s competitions till the grand finale.
