Hostilities in the 2023 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season will cease momentarily as the Round of 32 matches in the Federation Cup men’s competition take the centre stage today with former champions, Enyimba and Plateau United, set to create fireworks at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.
It will be recalled that Enyimba squeezed through to this stage after a nail-biting penalty shootout against Rivers United FC in Uyo, and now have to confront an ambitious Plateau United looking to march all the way to the grand finale.
Elsewhere, other NPFL clubs which are still standing in the competition are faced with tricky ties as they go up against less endowed opponents who may turn out to be dangerous banana peels.
At the Area 3 pitch in Abuja, Lobi Stars will have their hands full with Cynosure FC of Ebonyi, Doma United battle FR Ebunuja of Imo at the same venue at 2pm, while Sunshine Stars trade tackles with little known Standard FC of Kaduna in Lokoja.
At the Awka Township Stadium, former champions, Akwa United will engage EFCC FC Abuja, Gombe United square up with Mighty Jets of Jos at the Sani Abacha Stadium Kano as El-Kanemi Warriors contend with unknown Ingas FC of Enugu in Kaduna.
3SC face Warri Wolves in Owerri, DMD of Borno try Nasarawa United for size in Bauchi just as Bendel Insurance who are still unbeaten in the NPFL this season will be up against Ahudiya FC of Abia in Calabar.
In other Round of 32 matches, multi-titlists, Rangers of Enugu will do battle with NNL giants, Kano Pillars at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project in Abuja, while Heartland tackle Essien Ayi of Cross River in the early kick-off at the Awka Township Stadium.
A total of 16 matches will be contested in the men’s category, all scheduled for today, while seven matches will be played in the women’s competition with Bayelsa Queens having reached the last eight without kicking a ball, following the unfortunate accident involving opponents Dannaz Ladies.
