Nigeria: Enyimba Tackles Dolphin in FA Cup Round of 16

Daily Independent (Lagos)

Tony Ezimakor

30 June 2011

Abuja — Round of 16 draws of the 2011 Challenge Cup was performed in Abuja Thursday pitching top Premier League sides, Enyimba Int’l and Dolphin FC in group D. The duo will square up against Gombe United and Akwa United in the race of the two quarter finalist in Ilorin .

In group A which also has three Premier League clubs , Kaduna United will battle Sharks, Sunshine Stars and Bayelsa United at the Uyo centre, while in Gombe centre, seeded Rangers Int’l FC will face Warri Wolves, Unicem Rovers FC and Ocean Boys.

Enugu will be battle ground for Kwara United, Heartland, Rising Stars and giant killers Spotlite FC of Katsina while the winner of Handsworth/ Dekina Dragons make up the only group with five clubs.

The fixtures for the group phase matches will be conducted at the centres on the eve of commencement of hostilities.

The winner of Group A will clash with the runner-up of Group B (Quarter final 1) and winner of Group B will take on runner-up of Group A (Quarter final 2) in the quarter finals. The other quarter final matches will involve the winner of Group C against the runner-up of Group D (Quarter final 3) and the winner of Group D against the runner-up of Group C (Quarter final 4). These games come up on 26th July.

The semi finals have been set for Kano and Abeokuta on 28th and 29th July respectively. The winner of Quarter final 1 will take on the winner of Quarter final 3 at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano on 28th July while the winner of Quarter final 2 takes on the winner of Quarter final 4 at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta on 29th July.

The third place and final matches will come up mid-August at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

Meanwhile the football federation has assured clubs participating in the cup of some final support in the absence of sponsors again this year in the Challenge Cup.

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