Enugu Rangers clinched a place in the 2024/25 President Federation Cup quarter-finals with a narrow 1–0 win over Bendel Insurance at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Wednesday. The clash between former champions lived up to expectations with drama, grit, and a decisive moment just before the break.
The breakthrough came deep into first-half stoppage time when Rangers were awarded a penalty after a foul inside the box. Godwin Obaje made no mistake from the spot in the fifth minute of added time, sending goalkeeper Joshua Baba the wrong way to seal victory and knock out the Benin Arsenals.
Rangers controlled much of the early tempo but struggled to find a way past Insurance’s compact defensive setup. Obaje’s penalty proved decisive, as Insurance pushed hard for an equaliser in the second half but couldn’t find a breakthrough.
Elsewhere in the Round of 16, there was a major upset in Asaba as NNL underdogs Abakaliki FC stunned Enyimba FC—two-time CAF Champions League winners—with a 2–0 win. Okoro Chukwudi opened the scoring late in the first half, and Daniel Eni added a second shortly after the restart, sending the Ebonyi side into dreamland and the quarter-finals.
In Anyigba, Nasarawa United advanced past Bayelsa United after a 1–1 draw in regulation time. Anas Yusuf gave Nasarawa the lead from the penalty spot early in the second half, but Ibrahim Yahaya equalised for Bayelsa shortly after. The result was enough to see Nasarawa progress.
At Area 3 Stadium in Abuja, Wikki Tourists edged past Warri Wolves 4–3 on penalties after a dramatic 1–1 draw. Warri Wolves took an early lead, but John Taiwo leveled in second-half stoppage time, forcing a shoot-out that Wikki managed to win.
Ikorodu City continued their impressive run with a 2–0 win over Beyond Limits in Benin City. Second-half goals from Harrison Austin and Shola Adelani secured their passage into the next round.
Kwara United comfortably dispatched Solution FC 3–0, with strikes from Junior Aimufua, Muhammed Kabiru, and Ismaila Gata capping off a dominant performance.
In Abuja, Akwa United edged past Inter Lagos 1–0, with Chisom Orji netting the winner in the 72nd minute. Meanwhile, Plateau United held off Osun United 2–1 in Anyigba. After Samuel Pam opened the scoring, Osun drew level before the break, but Daniel Itodo’s stoppage-time strike sealed the win.
Quarter-Final Fixtures:
- Abakaliki FC vs Nasarawa United
- Wikki Tourists vs Ikorodu City
- Akwa United vs Kwara United
- Plateau United vs Rangers International
The competition heats up as these eight sides battle for a place in the semi-finals of Nigeria’s prestigious domestic cup tournament.
