By Tayo Ogunseye
Another climb has been recorded in the positive indices posted in the overall performance in 2023/2024 season as seven Nigeria National League (NNL) clubs have qualified for the Round of 16 of the President Federation Cup.
Super 8 contenders; Ikorodu City, Sokoto United, Inter Lagos, El-Kanemi Warriors with Wikki Tourists, EFCC and Kebbi United are making a strong statement in the oldest football competition in the land.
The high grade of competition exhibited by the clubs this season could be attributed to the clubs performance in the regular season.
Wikki Tourists confirmed the assertion by creating an upset as the Bauchi based club under the guidance of coach Muhammed Azeez shocked the defending champions Bendel Insurance with a 2-0 result in the Round of 32 at Area 3 Ground in Abuja.
Goals from Promise Damala and Owolabi Aremu ensured the Kaura Boys’ passage to the next round.
The victory signpost the improvement and confidence the second-tier clubs now exhibit.
Last season, five clubs; Heartland, Edel FC, EFCC, Doma FC and Warri Wolves made it to this stage.
NNL Chairman George Aluo expressed his happiness for the positive performance of the clubs.
He commended the clubs for representing the NNL well in the President Federation Cup.
“First and foremost, I want to congratulate Ikorodu City, Inter Lagos, Sokoto United, El Kanemi Warriors, EFCC, Wikki Tourists and Kebbi United for qualifying to the President Federation Cup Round of 16.
With the fixtures, at least two NNL teams are guaranteed to be in the quarter-final because Ikorodu City will meet Inter Lagos while Sokoto United and Wikki Tourists who eliminated the defending champions Bendel Insurance will meet EFCC.
This is an improvement from what it was last season. Our NNL clubs are doing well based on the enabling atmosphere my board and every stakeholder have provided to see that football develops under the right atmosphere.
With what we are witnessing in the President Federation Cup and four of the teams who qualified for the Super 8 already in the Round of 16, it shows that the best of football in ‘The Most Important League’ will be on display for all to see and enjoy” he concluded.
