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By Abiodun Adewale.
The quarter-final pairings of this year’s Federation Cup has high-profile games, with six Nigeria Professional Football League sides facing off in the last eight, which will be played next Wednesday, The PUNCH reports.
Top of the pairing is a potential pre-Super 6 clash between Bendel Insurance and Sunshine Stars.
Unbeaten in the league and top of Group A in the regular season, Insurance advanced to the last eight after seeing off Heartland 1-0 in the round of 32. On the other hand, Sunshine set up the mouthwatering clash by beating another second-tier side, EFCC FC, 3-2.
It’s the first meeting between both sides this season, before they will unavoidably clash again in the NPFL Super 6 playoffs.
The only second-tier side remaining in the competition, Warri Wolves, were handed a tough test in the quarter-finals and they will face Lobi Stars, who saw off Bendel Insurance Feeders 3-1 in the round of 32. The Seasiders will again test their wits against a topflight side after knocking out Gombe United in the last round.
Meanwhile, it’s a clash of familiar foes as Plateau United and Kwara United will do battle in the third quarter-finals pairing. Plateau United won the first leg of their meeting in the regular season 1-0 before forcing a 1-1 draw in the return leg.
The last pairing will also see Group B foes, Enugu Rangers, and surprise package Doma United meet again. Enugu Rangers beat Doma 1-0 in one of their meetings during the NPFL regular season while the second leg ended goalless.