The men, as they say, have now been separated from the boys. Well, almost…
Except for Warri Wolves, who were relegated from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) two years ago, the rest of the quarterfinalists are top flight sides. All seven teams – Bendel Insurance, Lobi Stars, Sunshine Stars, Plateau United, Doma United, Kwara United and Rangers – have even secured their spots in the NPFL next season. Of that number, Insurance (winners of NPFL’s Group A), Lobi and Sunshine progressed to the Super 6, which begins next week to determine the Nigerian champions.
Bendel Insurance Feeders were among the last set of non-NPFL teams to exit from the Federation Cup. Having eliminated fellow lower division sides Osun United and Maikunkele of Niger States in the earlier stages, the Benin based side succumbed 1-3 to Lobi Stars early this morning in Owerri. The game had been suspended as a result of the rain-flooded pitch yesterday evening.
Warri Wolves, who will now face Lobi Stars in the last eight, kicked Gombe United out yesterday in Abuja 1-0. They had beaten another NPFL club, Shooting Stars on 4-3 penalties in the Round of 32.
EFCC FC of the Federal Capital Territory, Heartland (Imo State), Ingas FC (Enugu), FC Ebedei (Ekiti) and Edel (Anambra) were the other teams outside the NPFL that got to the Round of 16. But they have now all been eased out of the competition.
EFCC were beaten 2-3 by Sunshine Stars in Benin yesterday, Heartland lost in Awka 0-1 to Bendel Insurance, while Ingas were defeated by Plateau United 2-1 in Abuja. Rangers overcame Ebedei 3-1 in Asaba, and Doma United overpowered Edel 2-1 also in Abuja.
The only NPFL head-to-head clash ended 1-0 in favour of Kwara United against now relegated Nasarawa United in Benin.
All the results: Heartland 0-1 Bendel Insurance (in Awka), Sunshine Stars 3-2 EFCC FC (Benin), Warri Wolves 1-0 Gombe (Abuja), Bendel Insurance Feeders 1-3 Lobi Stars (Owerri), Plateau United 2-1 Ingas FC (Abuja), Nasarawa United 0-1 Kwara United (Benin), FC Ebedei 1-3 Rangers (Asaba), Doma United 2-1 Edel FC (Abuja)
Quarterfinal fixtures (All matches Sunday, 28th May): Bendel Insurance v Sunshine Stars, Warri Wolves v Lobi Stars, Plateau United v Kwara United, Rangers v Doma United
