Nigeria: Federation Cup – Enyimba, Dolphin, Gombe Unleash Fireworks in Ilorin – Kaduna United, Sunshine Set Uyo Alight

Ismaila Lere

1 July 2011

The Draw for the group stage of this year’s Federation Cup competition was made in Abuja on Thursday, with Premier League clubs Enyimba FC (last year’s runners-up), Dolphin and Gombe finding themselves in the same pool.

Ilorin, the Kwara State capital will be the venue for the Group D fireworks involving the three powerhouse teams. The group phase hostilities commence will take place from July 20 to July 24.

Cup holders Kaduna United have been drawn in Group A, alongside fellow CAF Confederation Cup aspirants Sunshine Stars of Akure. Also in this pool is reigning WAFU Club Cup champions Sharks FC of Port Harcourt, with National League side Bayelsa United also in the house. Their matches will come up at the Uyo Township Stadium.

Group B, at the spanking new Gombe Stadium, will see 2008 champions Ocean Boys of Bayelsa lock horns with Warri Wolves, UniCem Rovers of Calabar and the winner of Thursday night’s clash between Enugu Rangers and Flash Flamingoes of Ekiti.

Since there are 17 teams taking part in the group stage, one of the groups had to have five teams, and that was taken up by Group C, which will be at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu. Last year’s semi finalists Kwara United FC head that pool, with Heartland FC of Owerri, Rising Stars of Akure, Spotlite FC of Katsina and the winner of Thursday night’s clash between Dekina Dragons of Kogi and Handsworth FC of Ogun State.

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 July 26.

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

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

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