Nigeria Leagues
2024 President Federation Cup: Akwa United, Shooting Stars, and Enyimba knock out
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Three top flight teams crashed out of the 2024 President Federation Cup at the Round of 16 stage on Wednesday, with Akwa United, Shooting Stars Sports Club, and Enyimba getting dunked out of the oldest football tournament in the country.
Kebbi United pipped former champions, Akwa United 1-0 to seal their passage into the quarter-final.
Elsewhere in Abuja, El-Kanemi Warriors pipped Shooting Stars Sports Club 1-0 to also eliminate another Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) team.
At same venue, Sokoto United also saw off two-time African champions, Enyimba FC 1-0 in an eventful first half where People’s Elephant goalkeeper, Olorunleke Ojo missed a penalty that could have restored parity.
Katsina United saw off Kano Pillars 8-7 on penalties with regulation time also ending in a 1-1 stalemate.
The dream of Wikki Tourists FC to clinch the 2024 President’s Federation Cup was shattered after losing to EFCC FC of Abuja by 1-0 in the round of 16 game played at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano
Martins Sule got the winning goal in the 80th minute when he benefitted from a corner kick advantage that went past Wikki’s defence line and played an acrobatic kick to the net.
Sunshine Stars ended any hope of Rivers United returning to the continent through the President Federation Cup as Lucky Nwafor’s first-half goal gave the Akure Gunners a 1-0 success over the Port Harcourt-based side.
In Ikenne, Abia Warriors won a hard-fought game 4-3 on penalties over Kwara United after regulation time ended in a 1-1 draw.
President Federation Cup: MEN’S ROUND OF 16 RESULTS
Wikki Tourists (Bauchi) 0-1 EFCC FC (FCT)
Kebbi United (Kebbi) 1-0 Akwa United (Akwa Ibom)
El-Kanemi Warriors (Borno) 1-0 Shooting Stars (Oyo)
Ikorodu City (Lagos) 1-1 Inter Lagos (Lagos) – Inter Lagos win 5-4 on penalties
Kwara United (Kwara) 1-1 Abia Warriors (Abia) – Abia Warriors win 4-3 on penalties
Sokoto United (Sokoto) 1-0 Enyimba (Abia)
Sunshine Stars (Ondo) 1-0 Rivers United (Rivers)
Katsina United (Katsina) 1-1 Kano Pillars (Kano) – Kano Pillars win 8-7 on penalties
Quarter-Final Pairings
EFCC FC (FCT) Vs Kebbi United (Kebbi)
El-Kanemi Warriors (Borno) Vs Inter Lagos (Lagos)
Abia Warriors (Abia) Vs Sokoto United (Sokoto)
Sunshine Stars (Ondo) Vs Kano Pillars (Kano)
