Former champions Bendel Insurance and Enugu Rangers are set to reignite one of Nigerian football’s fiercest rivalries when they meet on Wednesday at the Lagos Waterfront, in what is widely seen as the headline fixture of the Round of 16 in this year’s President Federation Cup.
Their history runs deep. These two sides delivered two unforgettable Federation Cup finals in the competition’s 80-year history—Bendel Insurance stunned the football community with a dominant 3-0 victory over Rangers in 1978, while the Flying Antelopes struck back with a 2-0 win at the same venue in 1981. Now, decades later, the stakes are just as high, with a place in the quarterfinals and a shot at continental football on the line.
Though the upcoming encounter will take place at a different Lagos venue, fans can expect fireworks as these historic clubs rekindle their old rivalry.
Meanwhile, two-time CAF Champions League winners Enyimba FC, who knocked out defending champions El-Kanemi Warriors in the previous round, will face Abakaliki FC at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.
In other Round of 16 fixtures, Nasarawa United will face Bayelsa United in Anyigba, while Warri Wolves clash with Wikki Tourists in Abuja. Benin City will host an entertaining showdown between Ikorodu City and Beyond Limits, preceded by Solution FC’s battle against Kwara United.
Plateau United will go head-to-head with Osun United in Anyigba, while Akwa United and Inter Lagos will slug it out in the Federal Capital.
Round of 16 Fixtures – President Federation Cup (Men)
Enyimba FC (Abia) vs Abakaliki FC (Ebonyi) – Asaba – 16/04/25 – 4:00 PM
Nasarawa United (Nasarawa) vs Bayelsa United (Bayelsa) – Anyigba – 16/04/25 – 10:00 AM
Warri Wolves (Delta) vs Wikki Tourists (Bauchi) – Area 3, Abuja – 16/04/25 – 1:00 PM
Ikorodu City (Lagos) vs Beyond Limits (Ogun) – Benin City – 16/04/25 – 4:00 PM
Akwa United (Akwa Ibom) vs Inter Lagos (Lagos) – Area 3, Abuja – 16/04/25 – 4:00 PM
Solution FC (Anambra) vs Kwara United (Kwara) – Benin City – 16/04/25 – 10:00 AM
Plateau United (Plateau) vs Osun United (Osun) – Anyigba – 16/04/25 – 1:00 PM
Bendel Insurance (Edo) vs Rangers Int’l (Enugu) – MJA, Lagos – 16/04/25 – 4:00 PM
