Former champions of the President Federation Cup, Rangers International of Enugu, defeated Bendel Insurance 1-0 to reach the last eight on Wednesday, www.aclsports.com reports.
In what could be tagged the biggest match of the round of 16, the two Nigeria Premier Football League clubs faced off at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos in a repeat of the 2023 Final, and it was the flying Antelopes that came out on tops after 90 minutes.
It was a cagey affair between the two teams as chances were few in the exchanges. However, Godwin Obaje’s penalty goal in first-half stoppage time was all Fidelis Ilechukwu’s men needed to book their spot in the next round.
Another NPFL side in Ikorodu City defeated second division side Beyond Limits 2-0 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin to reach the last eight for the first time. Austin Harrison and Shola Adelani scored in the second half to steer the Oga Boys into the next round.
In the shock of the round, Enyimba lost 2-0 to second division side Abakaliki in Asaba. Meanwhile, Nasarawa United and Bayelsa United met in Anyigba, Kogi State for a place in the quarterfinals. After it finished 1-1 in regulation time, it was the Solid Miners that advanced after a 5-3 win in the penalty shootout.
Also in Anyigba, Plateau United defeated second division side Osun United 2-1. Sam Pam and Daniel Itodo scored for the NPFL side, while Ganiyu Gberefun scored for Osun United.
A penalty shootout, which Wikki Tourists won 4-3 was needed to decide the winner between Wikki Tourists and Warri Wolves after it ended 1-1 in normal time.
Junior Aimufua, Kabir Muhammad and Ismaila Gata scored to help Kwara United breeze past Solution FC 3-0 in Benin. In Abuja, Chisom Orji scored the only goal as 2017 champions Akwa United defeated Inter Lagos 1-0 to book their spot in the last eight.
The quarterfinal matches have been scheduled to come up later in the month.
2025 President Federation Cup Round of 16 Results – Men
Enyimba FC 0-2 Abakaliki FC
Nasarawa United 1-1 Bayelsa United (PK: 5-3)
Warri Wolves 1-1 Wikki Tourists (PK: 3-4)
Ikorodu City 2-0 Beyond Limits
Akwa United 1-0 Inter Lagos
Solution FC 0-3 Kwara United
Plateau United 2-1 Osun United
Bendel Insurance 0-1 Rangers Int’l
Quarter Final Fixtures (Men)
Abakaliki FC (Ebonyi) vs Nasarawa United (Nasarawa)
Wikki Tourist (Bauchi) Vs Ikorodu City (Lagos)
Akwa United (Akwa Ibom) Vs Kwara United (Kwara)
Plateau United (Plateau) Vs Rangers Int’l (Enugu)
