Insurance, Rangers clash in Federation Cup round 16

Former champions Bendel Insurance and Rangers International will face off in a high-profile round of 16 match of this year’s President Federation Cup after scaling their respective round of 32 hurdles, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

With 10 titles between them, Insurance (four) and Rangers (six), two of the most successful teams in Nigeria, will headline the battles in the next round of the country’s oldest competition.

They are also meeting in a repeat of the 2023 final, which the Benin side won 1-0 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State, thanks to a first-half penalty by Osarenkhoe Imade.

To book their spot in the next stage, Bendel Insurance continued their dominant run in the competition, thrashing Adamawa United 3-0, courtesy of a hat-trick from Kayode Oke.

Rangers also survived a scare in an oriental derby against Heartland, knocking out the Naze Millionaires 5-3 on penalties after the regular time ended 1-1.

In the other matches slated for the last 16, giant killers Beyond Limits, who eliminated former Nigerian champions Rivers United, have a date with familiar foes and high-flying NPFL new boys Ikorodu City.

Four-time winners Enyimba will also face Abakaliki FC, who edged another NPFL side, Katsina United, on penalties.

Second-tier side Solutions FC compounded the woes of Lobi Stars by coming from a goal down to claim a 2-1 victory in the round of 32, and they will hope to ride on that confidence when they face Kwara United in the next round.

Nasarawa United and Bayelsa United will battle each other in an all-NPFL affair, just as former top-flight teams Warri Wolves and Wikki Tourists will battle for a place in the last eight.

Although they are just finding a resurgence in the league, Plateau United will hope to continue their steady run in the President’s Federation Cup against Osun United after knocking out Sunshine Stars.

Akwa United also await the winner of the clash between Inter Lagos and Danburam FC.