Nigerian football fans are eagerly waiting for major upsets as the Round of 64 matches in the 2023 Federation Cup in both men’s and women’s categories kick off today at different match venues across the country.
Although the star match of Round 64 in the men’s category is no doubt the fixture between NPFL heavyweights, Enyimba and Rivers United in Uyo, most football fans will be waiting to see the outcome at venues where ‘smaller’ clubs are pitched against their more illustrious opponents.
Without a doubt, the Federation Cup previously called the Challenge Cup or FA Cup has a rich history of giant killers who proved bookmakers wrong by eliminating some of the bigger clubs.
Therefore, beginning today, Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs Bayelsa United, Bendel Insurance, Sunshine Stars, Gombe United and Lobi Stars will be stepping on banana peels when they square up with Essien Ayi FC (Cross Rivers), ABS FC (Kwara), FC Basira (Nasarawa State), Malumfashi FC (Katsina) and One Rocket FC (Akwa Ibom) respectively.
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In other David versus Goliath battles, former champions, Plateau United will be up against Jama United of Zamfara in Kano, struggling El-Kanemi Warriors will engage De Cardinal of Rivers State in Abuja, Nasarawa United trade tackles with Kebbi United in Minna, high riding Doma United clash with Ozalla FC of Anambra State in Abuja in today’s matches while Kwara United face Gateway FC of Ogun in Ibadan and Rangers confront Adamawa United in Abuja in tomorrow’s matches.
Elsewhere, former champions, 3SC of Ibadan face unknown Adamingogo FC of Ondo State in Lagos while in another clash of NPFL sides, embattled Wikki Tourists go up against former champions, Akwa United in Enugu tomorrow.
Top NNL clubs, Kano Pillars, Yobe Desert Stars, EFCC, Heartland, Jigawa Golden Stars, Ekiti United, Warri Wolves, Mighty Jets and Green Beret will also face tricky ties against Ilaji FC Oyo, Igbaji FC of Osun, Katukan Tsafe of Zamfara, Jedo FC Sokoto, Ahudiya FC Abia, Standard FC Kaduna, Beyond Limit of Ogun, Tornadoes Feeders and FR Ebunuja of Imo State respectively today.
In the Women’s category, Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) sides, FC Robo will battle little known Immaculate Queens Enugu in Warri, Nasarawa Amazons face Gallant FC Kaduna in Jos, Rivers Angels contend with Golden Sun of Bayelsa while debutants Paul E of FCT try Delta Queens for size in Enugu, with all matches holding on Friday, April 28.
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