2024 Nigeria Federation Cup Explained

Federation Cup
Other Titles:President Federation Cup
Year:2024
Country:Nigeria
Dates:12 April – 29 June 2024
Num Teams:70
Winners:El-Kanemi Warriors
Second:Abia Warriors
Matches:67
Goals:156
Prev Season:2023
Next Season:2025
Count:3
Continentalcup1:CAF Confederation Cup
Continentalcup1 Qualifiers:El-Kanemi Warriors

The 2024 Nigeria Federation Cup is the 76th edition of the Nigerian Federation Cup. The tournament began with the National playoffs on 12 April and concluded with the final on 29 June. El-Kanemi Warriors won their third title and first in 32 years with a 2–0 win over Abia Warriors in the final.[1]

This year, the format remains unchanged, except for a slight modification in the number of qualifying clubs. 70 clubs instead of the usual 74 qualified as finalists in the tournaments held across the different states of Nigeria as Yobe failed to enter a team, while Borno and Adamawa states entered just a team each.[2]

Format

The competition is a single elimination knockout tournament featuring the 36 finalists of each state tournaments plus the FCT. As not all states entered two teams, the 12 weakest clubs entered the play-off round, whereafter the winners joined the remaining 58 teams at the main tournament. All matches are played at neutral stadiums.

Matches are played 90 minutes with tied games going straight to penalties.

National play-offs

All matches were played on 12 April.|}

First round

The draw for this round was conducted on 18 April.[3] Matches were held on 1 to 3 May.|-|colspan=3|1 May 2024|- |-|colspan=3|2 May 2024|-|-|colspan=3|3 May 2024|-|}

Second round

Matches were played on 22 and 23 May 2024.|-|colspan=3|22 May 2024|-|-|colspan=3|23 May 2024|-|}

Third round

Matches were held on 29 May.|}

Quarter-final

All matches were played on 5 June.|}

Semi-final

Both matches were played on 20 June.|}

Final

This is Abia Warriors first cup final while El-Kanemi Warriors are two times cup winners;[4] the winner of this match automatically qualifies for the 2024–25 CAF Confederation Cup. It was played on 29 June at the Onikan Stadium in Lagos after it was initially slated to be played at the National Stadium in Abuja.[5] |}

Notes and References

  1. Web site: El-Kanemi defeat Abia Warriors to win first federation cup in 32 years. TheCable Nigeria. Jonathan. Ledger. 19:58. 29 June 2024.
  2. Web site: Federation Cup competition gets into next gear with national play-off games. Nigeria Football Federation. 7 April 2024.
  3. Web site: NFF to stage national draw of 2024 Federation Cup competitions on Thursday. thenff.com. 17 April 2024.
  4. Web site: Abia Warriors, El-Kanemi reach President Federation Cup final. sunnewsonline. 21 June 2024.
  5. Web site: President Federation Cup: NFF announces new venue for grand finale. dailypost.ng. 23 June 2024.