Upsets rule President FA Cup as Enyimba, Akwa Utd crash out

Upsets rule President FA Cup as Enyimba, Akwa Utd crash out

The oldest club competition in Nigeria, the Challenge Cup, now renamed President Federation Cup has proven true to its tradition with some lesser-known teams knocking out the bigger ones.

Perharps the biggest casualty is Enyimba International of Aba. The Peoples Elephants have won two African Champions League titles, nine Nigerian championships and four Federation Cups since 2001 with their most recent league glory came in the 2022–23 season.

Yesterday, however, the most decorated Nigerian team lost to lowly Nigeria National League (NNL) side, Sokoto United 0-1.

Following Enyimba to exit the Cup is Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan as it lost to El-Kanemi Warriors, another NNL side and Akwa United, another former winner of the competition, losing to another NNL side, Kebbi United.

Kano Pillars scrapped through on 8-7 penalties to defeat Katsina United after regulation time of 1-1 just as Abia Warriors navigated the same route to beat Kwara United 4-3 after 1-1 full time.

Sunshine Stars got the better of Rivers United 1-0 to advance to the quarterfinals while EFCC defeated Wikki Tourists of Bauchi with the same margin. The Lagos derby ended in penalty shootouts as Inter Lagos won 5-4 after 1-1 regulation time.