Enyimba begin defence of Cup title

Enyimba will start the defence of their Federation Cup title when they face non-league side Sokoto North at the Fifa Goal Project pitch in Abuja this Wednesday.

The two-time African champions are favourites to progress ahead of this round of 64 clash with their unfancied opponents from Sokoto.

Enyimba captain and defender Chinedu Udoji told supersport.com that the Aba club are ready for their first game of the Cup.

He added that the People's Elephant will not take Sokoto North for granted despite the non-league outfit being underdogs.

"In Cup competitions, there are no big or small teams. All that big or small team talk only exist on paper. Our opponents played their way up to this stage and it will be very disrespectful for us or anyone to call a team small because they don't play in the Premier League.

"Yes, we have won the Federation Cup and our opponents have not, but that does not mean it will be easy facing them. We are prepared for this [Cup] match and taking it seriously. It's a knockout format and it's always possible to slip but we have no intention of falling out so early in the competition," Udoji said to supersport.com.

The Federation Cup holders have travelled to Abuja without experienced midfielder Sani Kaita as newly-appointed head coach, Kadiri Ikhana, will start his managerial return to the Aba club.

Enyimba have won the Federation Cup in 2005, 2009 and 2013.

The Cup competition will also throw up big clashes in the round of 64 this Wednesday and Thursday.

In Minna, premier division side Giwa FC face National League club ABS, while Kwara United go up against Sharks in Benin City. Both games are on Wednesday.

Other big games of this round include Wikki Tourists versus El-Kanemi Warriors, Bendel Insurance versus Sunshine Stars and Gateway FC versus Kano Pillars.


2014 FEDERATION CUP ROUND OF 64
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Enyimba v Sokoto North (FIFA Goal Project, Abuja, 4pm)

Zara Studio v Niger Tornadoes (Gusau)

CBN Cashless v Nembe City (Katsina-Ala, 4pm)

Ibom Youth v Katsina Spotlight (Lafia)

Heartland FC v Ebonyi United (Umuahia)

Kwara United v Sharks FC (Benin City)

APA United v Ekiti United (Lokoja, 2pm)

Nasarawa United v Young Elephants (Jos, 4pm)

Bobbies FC v Ajiroba FC (Enugu)

ABS FC v Giwa FC (Minna)

Yarmalight FC v Jigawa Stars (Kaduna)

AS Racine v FC Taraba (FIFA Goal Project, Abuja, 2pm)

Sky Academy FC v Plateau United (Gombe)

Abia Warriors v Mafara United FC (Old Parade Ground, Abuja)

Dolphins FC v Ingas FC (Warri)

Remo Stars v Bayelsa United (Rojenny)

FC Lokoja v First Bank FC (Akure)

Gombe United v Baton FC (Ilorin)

Thursday, July 3, 2014
Dalhatu FC v 3SC FC (FIFA Goal Project, Abuja, 4pm)

Dynamite FC v Ranchers Bees (Lokoja, 2pm)

Kaduna United v Leopard FC (Katsina-Ala, 4pm)

Bright Stars v Crown FC (Benin City)

Bendel Insurance v Sunshine Stars (Kaduna, 4pm)

Enugu Rangers v Ikpeazu FC (Umuahia)

Lobi Stars v Tornadoes Feeders (Jos, 2pm)

Wikki Tourists v El-Kanemi Warriors (Gombe)

Yobe Desert Stars v Kogi United (Jos, 4pm)

Binani FC v FRSC (Katsina-Ala, 2pm)

Akwa United v FC Abuja (Enugu)

Gateway FC v Kano Pillars (Lokoja, 4pm)

Prime FC v El-Kanemi Babes (Minna)

Dan Buran FC v Warri Wolves (Area 3, Abuja)