Nigeria: Bendel Insurance, Enugu Rangers Rekindle Federation Cup Rivalry

15 April 2025
This Day (Lagos)

Former champions Bendel Insurance and Enugu Rangers will light up the Lagos Waterfront, Onikan, on Wednesday in what is unarguably the star match of the Round of 16 of the men's competition of this year's President Federation Cup.

The two teams were involved in two of the most memorable final matches of Nigeria's Cup competition in its 80-year history, with honours shared in 1978 and 1981. The competition was then called The Challenge Cup.

The Benin Arsenaltore apart the form books to shock the nation's football fraternity by spanking Rangers 3-0 in the final in Lagos in 1978, but the Flying Antelopessomewhat repaid the compliment with a 2-0 win at the same venue in 1981.

The setting for this Round of 16 clash is also in Lagos, though a different venue. But fireworks are expected by the waterfront from two teams aspiring for continental football.

Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines

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

Nasarawa United and Bayelsa United will square up to each other in the university town of Anyigba, in Kogi State while Warri Wolves and Wikki Tourists battle things out in the Federal Capital, Abuja.

Two great entertainers, Ikorodu City and Beyond Limits will be at each other's jugular at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, where Solution FC will tango with Kwara United in an earlier game. Plateau United will confront Osun United in Anyigba.

Akwa United and Inter Lagos are at loggerheads in Abuja.

Round of 16 fixtures (Men)

Enyimba FC v. Abakaliki FC @Asaba

Nasarawa v Bayelsa Utd @Anyigba

Warri Wolves v Wikki Tourists @Abuja

Ikorodu City v Beyond Limits @Benin City

Akwa Utd v Inter Lagos @Abuja

Solution FC. v. Kwara Utd @Benin City

Plateau Utd v. Osun Utd Anyigba

B'Insurance v. Rangers Int'l @ MJA Lagos

Read the original article on This Day.

Tagged:
Copyright © 2025 This Day. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

AllAfrica publishes around 500 reports a day from more than 90 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.