President Federation Cup: Insurance and Rangers Face Off

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Former champions Bendel Insurance and Enugu Rangers are set to ignite the Lagos Waterfront on Wednesday in what is undoubtedly the highlight of the Round of 16 in this year’s President Federation Cup men’s competition.

These two teams have a storied history, having participated in two of the most iconic finals in the 80-year history of Nigeria’s Cup competition, with each team claiming victory in 1978 and 1981.

In 1978, the Benin Arsenal stunned the football community by defeating Rangers 3-0 in the final held in Lagos. However, the Flying Antelopes avenged that loss with a 2-0 victory at the same location in 1981.

This Round of 16 encounter will also take place in Lagos, albeit at a different venue, and is expected to deliver an exciting match as both teams aim for continental competition.

Two-time CAF Champions League winners Enyimba FC, who ousted the reigning Cup holders El-Kanemi Warriors in the Round of 32, will face Abakaliki FC at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.

Nasarawa United will compete against Bayelsa United in the university town of Anyigba, while Warri Wolves will take on Wikki Tourists in the Federal Capital, Abuja.

In Benin City, two entertaining teams, Ikorodu City and Beyond Limits, will clash at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, where Solution FC will also play against Kwara United in an earlier match. Plateau United is set to challenge Osun United in Anyigba.

Akwa United and Inter Lagos will meet in Abuja.

Round of 16 Fixtures (Men)

Enyimba FC (Abia) vs. Abakaliki FC (Ebonyi) – Asaba – 16/04/25 – 4 PM

Nasarawa United (Nasarawa) vs. Bayelsa United (Bayelsa) – Anyigba – 16/04/25 – 10 AM

Warri Wolves (Delta) vs. Wikki Tourists (Bauchi) – Area 3 Abuja – 16/04/25 – 1 PM

Ikorodu City (Lagos) vs. Beyond Limits (Ogun) – Benin City – 16/04/25 – 4 PM

Akwa United (Akwa Ibom) vs. Inter Lagos (Lagos) – Area 3 Abuja – 16/04/25 – 4 PM

Solution FC (Anambra) Vs Kwara United (Kwara) – Benin City – 16/04/25 – 10am

Plateau United (Plateau) Vs Osun United (Osun) – Anyigba – 16/04/25 – 1pm

Bendel Insurance (Edo) Vs Rangers Int’l (Enugu) – MJA Lagos – 16/04/25 – 4pm

Oluwaseun Oyediji

Oluwaseun Babatunde Oyediji is a multi-media sports journalist with over 10 years experience in Information Communication Technology (ICT), women's football, and beach soccer reportage.The prolific writer is the Media Assistant to Nigeria Beach Soccer League and Africa Beach Soccer Union as well as contributor on Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) website.He has covered multiple national and international football tournaments including Championship of African Nations (CHAN 2020), CAF Women's Champions League (2023), and Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023).Since 2021, Oyediji has covered the NWFL Premiership especially the season ending Super Six Playoffs.A member of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ogun state chapter is also the image maker of the Remo Sports Development Council under the leadership of Chief Falilat Ogunkoya and David Osuolale.

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