By Daily Sports Nigeria on April 17, 2025

Enugu Rangers booked their place in the 2024/25 President Federation Cup quarter‑finals with a hard‑fought 1– 0 victory over former champions Bendel Insurance at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Wednesday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The decisive moment arrived deep into first‑half stoppage time when Rangers were awarded a penalty following a foul in the box. Godwin Obaje stepped up confidently in the fifth minute of added time, sending Joshua Baba the wrong way in what will also send the Benin Arsenals home.

Rangers enjoyed the better of the early exchanges but struggled to carve out clear chances, as Insurance’s defence remained resolute. Obaje’s spot‑kick just before the interval proved enough to separate the sides, despite Insurance probing for an equaliser after the break.

Elsewhere in the round of 16, NNL strugglers Abakaliki FC stunned two‑time CAF Champions League winners Enyimba FC with a 2–0 win. Okoro Chukwudi opened the scoring just before half‑time, and Daniel Eni doubled the advantage shortly after the interval, earning the Ebonyi side a place in the quarter‑finals.

At Anyigba, Nasarawa United progressed at the expense of Bayelsa United despite a 1–1 draw in regulation time. Anas Yusuf converted a penalty early in the second half, only for Ibrahim Yahaya to level for the visitors on 61 minutes.

The tie was settled from the spot as Nasarawa won 5–4 in the shootout after Bayelsa’s Owoyemi missed his side’s fourth attempt and Mohammed Manga netted the decisive fifth kick.

Wikki Tourists earned a 4–3 shoot‑out victory over Warri Wolves at Area 3 Stadium in Abuja following a 1–1 stalemate. Warri took the lead within five minutes, but Wikki’s John Taiwo salvaged a draw in stoppage time before holding their nerves to win the penalty shoot‑out.

Also in Benin City, Ikorodu City defeated Beyond Limits 2–0 thanks to second‑half strikes from Harrison Austin and Shola Adelani, while Kwara United advanced with a 3–0 success over Solution FC, courtesy of goals by Juniour Aimufua, Muhammed Kabiru and Ismaila Gata.

Akwa United edged Inter Lagos 1–0 in Abuja, Chisom Orji’s 72nd‑minute finish proving enough to send the Promise Keepers through. Meanwhile at Anyigba, Plateau United overcame Osun United 2–1, with Samuel Pam scoring midway through the first half and Daniel Itodo netting deep into stoppage time to seal victory after Osun had drawn level before half‑time.

The winners now prepare for the quarter‑finals, which will feature Abakaliki FC against Nasarawa United, Wikki Tourists against Ikorodu City, Akwa United against Kwara United and Plateau United against Rangers International.

Source Punch Ng

Posted April 17, 2025

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