NFF set for Thursday’s Federation Cup draw as 64 men’s, 31 women’s teams vie for glory
(Abuja, Nigeria) The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is set to hold the national draw for the men’s and women’s 2024 Federation Cup competitions on Thursday, 18 April 2024 at the NFF Secretariat in Abuja.
64 Teams Vie for Men’s Title
Following last week’s playoff matches, the men’s competition field has been narrowed down to 64 teams. Warinje FC (Bauchi), PCM FC (Ebonyi), Ine Stars (Edo), Zamfara United Feeders, Fr. Eburuaja (Imo), and Gamji Eaglets (Taraba) secured their spots after emerging victorious in the playoffs.
The men’s tournament, in its 76th edition, kicks off with the Round of 64, followed by the Round of 32, Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the grand finale.
States & Representative Teams (Men’s Competition)
- Abia State: Enyimba FC, Abia Warriors
- Akwa Ibom State: Akwa United, FC One Rocket
- Anambra State: Solution FC, Edel FC
- Bauchi State: Wikki Tourists, Warinje FC
- Bayelsa State: Bayelsa United
- Benue State: Lobi Stars
- Borno State: El-Kanemi Warriors
- Cross Rivers State: Rovers FC, May Frank FC
- Delta State: Warri Wolves, Delta Marine FC
- Ebonyi State: Cynosure FC, PCM FC
- Edo State: Bendel Insurance, Ine Stars
- Ekiti State: Ekiti United, Ekiti United Feeders
- Enugu State: Rangers Int’l, Coal City FC
- FCT: EFCC FC, Sporting Supreme FC
- Gombe State: Gombe United, Doma United
- Imo State: Ikukuoma FC, Fr. Eburuaja FC
- Jigawa State: Lautai FC, Dutse Strikers
- Kaduna State: Green Beret FC
- Kano State: Kano Pillars
- Katsina State: Katsina United FC, Jr. Danburan FC
- Kebbi State: Discovery Talent Academy, Kebbi United
- Kogi State: FC Bako
- Kwara State: Kwara United, ABS FC
- Lagos State: Inter Lagos FC, Ikorodu City FC
- Nasarawa State: Nasarawa United, FC Basira
- Niger State: Niger Tornadoes, Niger Tornadoes Feeders
- Ogun State: Beyond Limit FC, Stormers Sports Club
- Ondo State: Sunshine Stars, Adanimogo FC
- Osun State: Osun United, Hammola Int’l FC
- Oyo State: Ilaji FC, Shooting Stars
- Plateau State: Plateau United, Mighty Jets
- Rivers State: Rivers United, Ofirima FC
- Sokoto State: Sokoto United, Jedo Academy
- Taraba State: Gamji Eaglets FC, Karim United
- Zamfara State: Zamfara United, Zamfara United Feeders
Women’s Competition Starts with Round of 32
With 31 teams participating, the women’s competition will begin with the Round of 32, followed by the Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the grand finale.
States & Representative Teams (Women’s Competition)
- Abia State: Abia Angels, Ahudiya Nnem Queens
- Bayelsa State: Bayelsa Queens, GoldenSun Sports Club
- Benue State: Honey Badgers
- Delta State: Delta Queens, Delta Ladies
- Edo State: Edo Queens, Fortress Ladies
- Ekiti State: Ekiti Queens
- Enugu State: Bright Future FC, Greenfoot FC
- FCT: Naija Ratels, ON Youth Academy
- Imo State: Heartland Queens
- Kaduna State: Kada FC, Gallant FC
- Kogi State: Confluence Queens
- Kwara State: Kwara Ladies FC
- Lagos State: FC Robo Queens, Dannaz Ladies
- Nasarawa State: Nasarawa Amazons
- Ogun State: Remo Stars Ladies
- Ondo State: Sunshine Queens, Onimang FC
- Osun State: Osun Babes
- Oyo State: Suit De Queens
- Plateau State: Plateau United Queens, Mighty Jets Int’l Mata
- Rivers State: Rivers Angels, Oske Lean FC
Bendel Insurance is the defending champion of the men’s title, having defeated Enugu Rangers 1-0 to earn its fourth title, its first since 1980. They earned the right to participate in the 2023–24 CAF Confederation Cup as well as a prize of N15m.
Meanwhile, Bayelsa Queens retained the women’s crown and secured their second Federation Cup title after edging rivals Rivers Angels 4-2 on penalties to take home the grand prize of N10m.
The NFF will announce pairings for both competitions following the draw ceremony on Thursday.