Reigning Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions Rivers United have been paired with eight-time league champions Enyimba in what is the headline fixture of the 2023 Federation Cup round of 64.
The draws were held at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, with a gruelling 128 matches to be played across the country next Wednesday to determine the 64 sides that will progress to the round of 32 on May 3 and ultimately the final on May 27.
Rivers United have never lifted the Federation Cup since its existence in 2016 but has four titles from its defunct past as Dolphins FC while Enyimba are four-time champions.
Other top fixtures will see 2021 NPFL champions Akwa United take on Wikki Tourists while six-time Federation Cup winners Enugu Rangers will be up against Adamawa United.
Kwara United and Nasarawa United will battle it out with Gateway United and Kebbi United respectively, and Bendel Insurance face off with Ilorin outfit ABS FC.
On the women’s side, defending champions Bayelsa Queens will face Maureen Mmadu KFC while eight-time champions Rivers Angels should have an easy run when they face Golden Sun FC.
Some of the other interesting fixtures will involve Adamawa Queens against Naija Ratels, Heartland Queens against Confluence Queens, Sunshine Queens against Edo Queens, Nasarawa Amazons against Gallant FC and Osun Babes who slug it out with Akwa Angels.
Round of 64 fixtures (Men)
Heartland FC vs Jedo FC
Bayelsa United vs Essien Ayi FC
Ahudiya FC vs Jigawa Golden Stars
ABS FC vs Bendel Insurance FC
Standard FC vs Ekiti United
FC Basira vs Sunshine Stars
EFCC FC vs Katukan Tsafe FC
Wikki Tourists vs Akwa United FC
Warri Wolves vs Beyond Limit FC
Shooting Stars vs Adamimogo FC
Mighty Jets vs Niger Tornadoes Feeders
Malumfashi FC vs Gombe United
Osun United vs Katsina United
Bendel Insurance Feeders vs Maikunkele FC
Cynosure FC vs Kano Pillars Jnr
Lobi Stars vs FC One Rocket
Jama United vs Plateau United
Rivers United vs Enyimba FC
Ingas FC vs Novia FC
El-Kanemi Warriors vs De Cardinal FC
Nasarawa United vs Kebbi United
DMD FC vs ABJ FC
Ikorodu City vs Crusader FC
Gateway United vs Kwara United
FC Ebedei vs Hope of Glory FC
Yobe Desert Stars vs Igbajo FC
Adamawa United vs Rangers International
Ilaji FC vs Kano Pillars
Green Berets FC vs FR Ebunuja
Ozalla FC vs Doma United
Kogi United Feeders Vs Edel FC
Mailantarki FC vs Kogi United
Round of 32 fixtures (Women)
Bayelsa Queens vs Maureen Mmadu KFC
Akwa Angels vs Dannaz Ladies
Owo Itan FC vs Fortress FC
Honey Badgers vs Kada FC
Heartland Queens vs Confluence Queens
Lakeside FC vs Kwara Ladies
Sunshine Queens vs Edo Queens
FC Robo vs Immaculate Queens
First Mah FC vs Royal Queens
Nasarawa Amazons vs Gallant FC
Naija Ratels vs Adamawa Queens
Rivers Angels vs Golden Sun FC
Osun Babes vs Awka Angels
Ekiti Queens vs Moje Queens
Paul E. FC vs Delta Queens
