The Federation Cup round of 32 fixtures played across the nation on Wednesday saw some big guns in Nigeria topflight club football exit the competition, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The likes of 8-time League champions, Enyimba FC, former FA Cup winners, Akwa United and Shooting Stars were all knocked out of the historic competition.
Enyimba who had sent League reigning champions, Rivers United packing in the round of 64 met their downfall after they lost 3-2 on penalties to Plateau United.
A 44 minutes own goal by Ifeanyi Emmanuel and a brilliant Chigozie Chilekwu's freekick gave 10-man Enyimba the lead before Saidu Salisu and Moses Adikwu levelled things in Benin for the tie to end 2-2 and move to penalties.
Anti-graft club side, EFCC of Abuja pulled a surprise win to eliminate 2017 winners of the FA Cup, Akwa United after a 1-1 draw at regulation time to win 9-8 on penalties.
Azeez Olamilekan had equalled score for the Promise Keepers in the 52nd minutes after the Nigeria National League side had gone into the lead two minutes after the start of the game.
Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan also saw their time in the 2023 FA Cup put to an end by NNL side, Warri Wolves after the match resulted in penalties as the regulation time had ended 0-0.
Meanwhile, Rangers International of Enugu were able to conquer League champions and NNL side, Kano Pillars by two goals to nil courtesy of two first half goals from Godwin Obaje.
There were victories for Bendel Insurance, Kwara United Insurance Feeders, Lobi Stars, Doma United.
Fed Cup Round of 32 results
Heartland FC (Imo) 2-1 Essien Ayi FC (Cross River) – Awka
Ahudiya (Abia) 0-1 Bendel Insurance (Edo) – Calabar
Standard FC (Kaduna) 0-2 Sunshine Stars (Ondo) – Lokoja
EFCC FC (FCT) 1-1 Akwa United (Akwa Ibom) – Awka. EFCC win 9-8 on penalties.
Warri Wolves (Delta) 0-0 3SC (Oyo) – Owerri. Wolves win 4-3 on penalties.
Osun United (Osun) 1-2 Insurance Feeders (Edo) – Lagos
Cynosure FC (Ebonyi) 1-2 Lobi Stars (Benue) – Abuja Area 3
Plateau United (Plateau) 2-2 Enyimba FC – Benin City. Plateau win 3-2 on penalties.
Ingas FC (Enugu) 1-1 El-Kanemi Warriors (Borno) – Kaduna. Ingas win 9-8 on penalties.
Nasarawa United (Nasarawa) 3-2 DMD FC (Borno) – Bauchi.
Ikorodu City (Lagos) 1-3 Kwara United (Kwara) – Osogbo.
FC Ebedei (Ekiti) 4-0 Igbajo FC (Osun) – Ibadan – 10/05/23 – 4pm
Rangers Int’l (Enugu) 2-0 Kano Pillars (Kano) – Abuja Goal Project
FR Ebunuja (Imo) 0-4 Doma United (Gombe) – Abuja Area 3
Edel FC (Anambra) 1-0 Mailantarki FC (FCT) – Akure.
Thursday May 11
Mighty Jets (Plateau) Vs Gombe United (Gombe) – Kano – 10/05/23 – 4pm
By Uche Dozie