Federation Cup: Enyimba, Wolves Clash In Bauchi

Last year’s runners-up Enyimba FC of Aba will tango with Warri Wolves and Lobi Stars of Makurdi in what appears the pick of the group phase following Friday’s 2012 Federation Cup Draw in Abuja.

The three Nigeria Premier League clubs will do battle in Group A at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi, alongside the onlynon-League side remaining in the campaign, Samba FC of Enugu.

At a colourful event inside the Ekiti Hall of NICON Luxury Hotel,Abuja, Cup holders Heartland FC of Owerri also found out they will trade tackles with three northern Nigerian teams - Premier League’s Gombe United and Plateau United as well as second-tier National League’s Nasarawa United FC. These Group D matches will come up in Port Harcourt.

In Group B, which venue is the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, Kwara United FC of Ilorin and Pillars of Kano will contend with Crown FC of Ogbomosho and El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri.

Confluence Stadium, Lokoja will host Group C matches that will involve Enugu Rangers, Sharks FC of Port Harcourt, Prime FC of Oshogbo and Dynamite Force of Edo, a Nationwide League club.

NFF’s Director of Competitions, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, who conducted the
Draw, also explained that the group stage will hold between 16th – 20th July, with the quarter finals to pitch the winner of Group A against runner-up of Group C and winner of Group B against runner-up of Group D. Also, the winner of Group C will welcome the runner-up of Group A and the winner of Group D will entertain the runner-up of Group B.

Already, the Nigeria Football Federation has picked the U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar and the Ilorin Township Stadium to host the semi final matches.

FIFA Instructors Brendon Menton and Jacques Malie, who are in town for the on-going FIFA WIAWA Administration and Management Course, picked the seeded teams’ centres. NFF Executive Committee members, Dr. Shehu Adamu and Alhaji Ahmad Muazu Kawu were also part of the occasion, as well as a couple of State FA chairmen and NFF Management.

The grand finale will come on stream at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos in August.