Rangers face revenge-hungry Rivers United in Fed Cup blockbuster – Daily Trust
–>
Click Here To Listen To Trust Radio Live
In what many football analysts have tagged as the final before the final, the fiercest rivalry in modern Nigerian club football takes the centre stage today at the Uyo Township Stadium as newly crowned Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Enugu Rangers, face immediate runners-up Rivers United in a blockbuster Federation Cup Round of 32 clash.
Having missed out on the league crown by a razor-thin margin on the final matchday of the 2026 NPFL season, Rivers United are aiming to extract their pound of flesh from Rangers and derail the “Flying Antelopes” ambitions of securing a historic domestic double.
This ultimately sets the stage for a potentially explosive fixture between two of NPFL’s most formidable sides with a rich history of football rivalry.
SPONSOR AD
Although the Federation Cup is a gateway to one of the Confederation Cup tickets but both clubs have since picked CAF Champions League tickets by virtue of their performances in the just concluded NPFL season, leaving the Round of 32 clash and subsequent progression a matter of national pride.
While Rangers are former winners of the Federation Cup, Rivers United are yet to lift the trophy in the oldest club competition in Nigeria.
Therefore, “Pride of Rivers” will be hungrier for victory in today’s match because apart from the fact that they are yet to taste victory in the competition, they won’t want to end the 2026 season empty handed.
In other high-stakes round of 32 fixtures, nine-time NPFL champions Enyimba take on Gombe United at the revamped McCarthy Stadium Makurdi.
Having failed to pick a continental ticket in the NPFL, the former African champions will put in everything to progress to the next round as they hope to sneak into the continent through the Federation Cup.
In Minna, 3SC who finished third in the just concluded NPFL season look to carry their league momentum into the Cup as they confront KADA Stars for a place in the Round of 16.
At the Bwari Township Stadium last year’s runners-up Abakaliki FC will square up with highly-motivated NPFL side Barau FC as they seek to go a step higher this time.
The “Rice Boys” from Ebonyi emerged as the giant- killers in the last edition after they went all the way to the final before losing to Kwara United on penalties.
Elsewhere, relegated teams, Bayelsa United and Wikki Tourists will seek revival when they clash at the Lafia City Stadium while the battle of former champions El-Kanemi Warriors and Akwa United comes up at the FIFA Goal Project pitch in Abuja.
The format used for the Federation Cup is single- elimination knockout matches. All tied games after 90 minutes proceed directly to a penalty shootout with no extra time to decide the winner.
The winner of the Cup earns the automatic qualification to represent Nigeria in the CAF Confederation Cup next season.
Kwara United who survived NPFL relegation on the final day of the 2026 season are the defending champions of the Federation Cup.
UPDATE NEWS:
Nigerians can now invest ₦2.5 million on premium domains and profit about ₦17-₦25 million. All earnings paid in US Dollars. Rather than wonder, click here to find out how it works.
Crédito: Link de origem