2023 Nigeria Federation Cup Explained

Federation Cup
Other Titles:Tingo Cup
Year:2023
Country:Nigeria
Dates:18 April – 21 June 2023
Num Teams:72
Winners:Bendel Insurance
Second:Enugu Rangers
Next Season:2024

The 2023 Nigeria Federation Cup (known as the 2023 Tingo Cup) is the 75th edition of the Nigerian Federation Cup. The tournament began with the National playoffs on 18 April and concluded with the final in June.

This year's format remained the same as previous editions, with 72 clubs qualifying as the finalists of the various states tournaments.[1]

Format

The competition is a single elimination knockout tournament featuring the 36 finalists of each state tournaments plus the FCT. The 16 weakest clubs enter the play-off round, the winners then join the remaining 56 teams at the main tournament. All matches are played at neutral stadiums.

Matches are played 90 minutes with tied games at the end of regulation time going straight to penalties.

National play-offs

All matches were played on 18 April.|}

First round

The draw for this round was conducted on 19 April.[2] Matches were held between 27 April to 3 May|}

Second round

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Third round

The third round of matches were played on 24 and 25 May.|-|colspan=3|24 May 2023|-|-|colspan=3|25 May 2023|-|}

Quarter-final

Matches were played on 28 May.|}

Semi-final

In the semi-final, Enugu Rangers defeated Plateau United courtesy of a last minute penalty kick while Bendel Insurance won on penalty shootout to extend their unbeaten record this season to 23 games.The matches were played on 1 June.|}

Final

Bendel Insurance defeated Enugu Rangers to earn their fourth title, their first since 1980 and earned the right to participate in the 2023–24 CAF Confederation Cup.[3] |}

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 13 February 2023 . NFF reveals date for 2023 Federation cup final . 5 June 2023 . Pulse sports.ng.
  2. Web site: NFF stages national federation cup draw April 19, second fiddle clubs square up in playoffs. 18 April 2023.
  3. Web site: Bendel Insurance for CAF Confederation Cup after stopping Enugu Rangers in cup final. scorenigeria.com. 22 June 2023.