2023 Edo State Federation Cup get underway on Wednesday

The football competition which is held annually gives room for all teams —from grassroots to professional level—  in the state to participate and gun for glory to represent the State at the Federal level.

The competition is held in each states across the country after which the winners represent their respective state at the national level which is organized the Nigeria Football Federation and it is expected to start a week before the end of the 2022/23 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season in May.

The draws ceremony for the competition which was held at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium last Friday had representatives of the twenty six participating teams in attendance.

For the first round, Osemwegie and Etete will kick start the competition on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at the Western Boys mini stadium, Benin, by 9.00am.

Other matches for the day one which are to hold at the same venue include: Benin Warriors v Delight FC (11:00am); Royal Force v Star City (1:00pm), and Adia Sports v Meggap FC (3:00pm).

Meanwhile, School of Health field has been selected as the second venue and will hold the other matchday one matches: Future Stars v West Gate FC (9:00am); Etete FC v Morska FC (11:00am); Etto FC v Mission Side FC (1:00pm) and Constance DK FC v Alhaji FC (3:00pm).

The defending champions, Bendel Insurance, and runners-up Insurance Feeders will be joining the  the competition from the second round.

The second round is expected to begin on Friday, March 10 as the defending champions Bendel Insurance FC await winners between Osemwegie FC and Etete FC.

However, the Edo FA secretary Emmanuel Ajibola said that a date for the game between Edo Queens and Fortress Ladies will be communicated to the two teams later while also appealing to all the participants to abide by the rules of the game and as well take medical and health concerns of their players and officials with all seriousness.