Ten Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clubs have been given a lifeline to play continental football through the Aiteo Cup as the 2022 edition’s Round of 64 kicks off today across 32 centres.
The 10 clubs had failed to get a continental ticket during the just concluded 2021/22 NPFL season.
They are Kwara United, Rangers, Nasarawa United, Enyimba and Sunshine Stars.
Others are Abia Warriors, Niger Tornadoes, Lobi Stars, Gombe United and Akwa United.
League champions Rivers United and runners up, Plateau United will represent Nigeria in the CAF Champions League next season while Remo Stars who finished third will be in CAF Confederations Cup.
The second Confederations Cup ticket is reserved for the winner of the AITEO Cup.
The 10 NPFL clubs will however vie for the trophy with as many as 54 clubs which include other NPFL clubs, the Nigeria National League (NNL) and other amateur clubs.
For matches involving the 10 NPFL clubs in the round of 64 to be played this weekend, Enyimba will battle Ijebu United in Benin while Dreams FC slug it out with Niger Tornadoes in Enugu.
In Kaduna, ABS FC and Lobi Stars will face each other while Rangers Int’l and ABJ FC will play at the FIFA Goal Project in Abuja.
Sunshine Stars will take on Osun United in Ikenne as Aba will play host to Essien Ayi and Akwa United.
Rovers FC will be up against Gombe United in Makurdi just as Yobe Desert Stars and Kwara United slug it out in Kaduna
Warri will welcome Ottasolo FC and Abia Warriors while Eaglets FC and Nasarawa United will square off at the ABS Kaduna.
In the event that Remo Stars emerge winners of the Aiteo Cup, Kwara United who placed fourth in the just concluded NPFL season will be handed the remaining continental ticket.
