Fed Cup: Enyimba, Dolphin in ‘Group of Death’

1 July 2011

NPL clubs Enyimba, Dolphin and Gombe United will do battle in the ‘Group of Death’ of this year’s Federation Cup in Ilorin.

In the draw for the cup competition made in Abuja on Thursday last year’s runners-up Enyimba, Dolphin, Gombe as well as giant killers Akwa United will slug it out in Ilorin between July 20 and 24.

Akwa United sent NPL outfit 3Sc packing from the competition.

Cup holders Kaduna United have been drawn in Group A, alongside fellow CAF Confederation Cup aspirants Sunshine Stars.

Also in this pool are reigning WAFU Club Cup champions Sharks along with National League side Bayelsa United. This group will be based in Uyo.

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 the match 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 head that group with Heartland, Rising Stars of Akure, Spotlite FC of Katsina and the winner of the clash between Dekina Dragons of Kogi and Handsworth FC of Ogun State.

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 will be played on July 26.

The semi finals have been set for Kano and Abeokuta on July 28 and 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.

GROUP A (UYO TOWNSHIP STADIUM)

Kaduna United
Sharks FC
Sunshine Stars
Bayelsa United

GROUP B (GOMBE STADIUM, PANTAMI)

Enugu Rangers/Flash Flamingoes
Warri Wolves
UniCem Rovers
Ocean Boys

GROUP C (NNAMDI AZIKIWE STADIUM, ENUGU)

Kwara United
Heartland FC
Rising Stars
Spotlite FC
Dragons/Handsworth

GROUP D (KWARA STADIUM, ILORIN)

Enyimba FC
Dolphin FC
Gombe United
Akwa United