Defending champions Bendel Insurance aim to play aggressively against Stormers SC of Abeokuta in their President Federation Cup round of 64 match starting at 4pm at Area 3, Abuja on May 1, as reported by PUNCH Sports Extra.
The team's media officer, Kehinde Osagiede, expressed strong belief in a conversation with our reporter on Wednesday after the release of the round of 64 fixtures by the Nigeria Football Federation.
“We are the defending champions. We are preparing very well and taking the match seriously, regardless of the fact that they are in the NNL. We are going all out for a win because the FA Cup is full of surprises worldwide. We will approach the match with all seriousness because there is no second chance. I am confident that we will win,” he said.
The Benin Arsenal defeated Enugu Rangers 1-0 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba on June 21, 2023 to win the trophy and secure a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup, which they exited in the second round after losing 3-2 on aggregate to Moroccan side RS Berkane.
This year’s President Federation Cup at the national level will start with the men’s round of 64 matches on Wednesday and Thursday next week, according to a release by the Nigeria Football Federation.
Abuja, Kaduna, Owerri, Lafia, Awka, Enugu, Benin City, Ibadan, Asaba, Ilorin, Aba and Kano are the locations to host the 32 matches, which will then determine the teams for the Round of 32.
The women’s teams, whose competition will begin from the Round of 32, will not participate in next week’s matches but will compete when the men also play for places in the Round of 16.