Enyimba’s Adekunle Adeleke sets sight on Federation Cup title after Rivers United win

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Enyimba FC defender, Adekunle Adeleke believes his side can go all the way to win the title after 4-3 win on penalties over Rivers United in the Round of 64 of the 2023 Federation Cup on Thursday.

The headline fixture of the Round of 64 couldn’t hold due to Rivers United’s continental assignment as the Port Harcourt-based side played Young Africans of Tanzania in the quarter-final of the CAF Confederation Cup.

Having secured a Round of 32 place, the People’s Elephants star is upbeat about their Cup chances this term.

“After beating Rivers United in the last round, there is a believe now that we can go further and it will bring more confident back to the team,” Adeleke told Brila FM.

“To be the Champions you must beat the best. It’s a tough one. I don’t know how the fixtures will come our way but it’s also a good fixture for us playing against a tough side.

“If we can win them definitely we can win the trophy at the end of the tournament.”

The two-time African Champions will face another Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side, Plateau United in the Round of 32 of the 2023 Federation Cup.

Rivers United after the loss can now focus on its outstanding league games in a bid to qualify for the NPFL Super Six with a chance to retain the league title.

FEDERATION CUP: ROUND OF 32 FIXTURES (MEN)

Heartland FC (Imo) Vs Essien Ayi FC (Cross River) – Awka – 10/05/23 – 2 pm

Ahudiya (Abia) Vs Bendel Insurance (Edo) – Calabar – 10/05/23 – 4 pm

Standard FC (Kaduna) Vs Sunshine Stars (Ondo) – Lokoja – 10/05/23 – 4 pm

EFCC FC (FCT) Vs Akwa United (Akwa Ibom) – Awka – 10/05/23 – 4 pm

Warri Wolves (Delta) Vs 3SC (Oyo) – Owerri – 10.05/23 – 4 pm

Mighty Jets (Plateau) Vs Gombe United (Gombe) – Kano – 10/05/23 – 4 pm

Osun United (Osun) Vs Insurance Feeders (Edo) – Lagos – 10/05/23 – 4 pm

Cynosure FC (Ebonyi) Vs Lobi Stars (Benue) – Abuja Area 3 – 10/05/23 – 4 pm

Plateau United (Plateau) Vs Enyimba FC – TBD – 10/05/23

Ingas FC (Enugu) Vs El-Kanemi Warriors (Borno) – Kaduna – 10/05/23 – 4 pm

Nasarawa United (Nasarawa) Vs DMD FC (Borno) – Bauchi – 10/05/23 – 4 pm

Ikorodu City (Lagos) Vs Kwara United (Kwara) – Osogbo – 10/05/23 – 4 pm

FC Ebedei (Ekiti) Vs Igbajo FC (Osun) – Ibadan – 10/05/23 – 4 pm

Rangers Int’l (Enugu) Vs Kano Pillars (Kano) – Abuja Goal Project – 10/05/23 – 4 pm

FR Ebunuja (Imo) Vs Doma United (Gombe) – Abuja Area 3 – 10/05/23 – 2 pm

Edel FC (Anambra) Vs Mailantarki FC (FCT) – Akure – 10/05/23 – 4pm