Federation Cup: 14 clubs jostle for honours in Enugu

14 clubs jostle for Federation Cup honours in Enugu
(Get 9ja Sports)

Francis Ugwu, the Secretary of Enugu State Football Association, on Tuesday said 14 clubs have registered for the 2016 edition of the Federation Cup in the state.

Ugwu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu that six new clubs were among those which registered for the annual competition.

"The competition will hold from Thursday, March 10 to April 3, with matches holding at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on match days, while two of the new clubs, Olican and Zola, will kick off the competition on Thursday,’’ he said.

Assessing the competition, the Secretary said four clubs from the Nsukka axis were among the participating clubs.

"This is a good omen for the people of Nsukka, and as we all know the Federation Cup in the state has always been witnessing surprises from the new clubs,” he said.

The Enugu FA Secretary said the competition’s fixtures have also been drawn.

"On March 13, Disdevt in Afrik will face Ingas FC by 2 p.m. while Coal City Rock take on Rangers Team B (former Junior Rangers) by 4 p.m.

"The preliminary round will end on March 14 with the matches between VIC Garden and Owokeen by 2 p.m. then Crime Busters by 4 p.m.

"Rangers and FC Inter of Enugu will join the competition at the quarter-finals stage.

"Rangers will face the winners of the match day one on March 16, while Inter play the winners of match day six on March 17,” he said.

Ugwu said the semi-final matches would come up on March 29 by 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., while the third-place and final matches were slated for April 3, by 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. respectively.

He urged the participating clubs to play according to the rules and regulations and accept defeat in good faith.

"The Federation Cup has always been a big competition in Nigeria and it has offered smaller clubs an opportunity to measure their strength with the superior ones,” Ugwu said.