* Edo Queens, Fortress Ladies go straight to finals
By Kingsley Abavo, Benin
The 2023 Edo State Federation Cup Competition has been scheduled to begin on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 in Benin City with 26 clubs registered to participate.
The draws ceremony for the football competition held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium a couple of days ago; with the representatives of the 26 participating teams in attendance.
Osemwegie Football Club and Etete Football Club have been paired to kick start the competition on the opening day at the Western Boys mini stadium, Benin. Kick off time is 9.00 AM.
Other matches for the day one include; Benin Worriors vs. Delight FC (11:00 AM), Royal Force vs. Star City (1:00PM), and Adia Sports vs. Meggap FC; all scheduled to hold at Western Boys mini stadium.
At the second venue; School of Health field, Future Stars would face West Gate FC at 9:00 a.m, and Etete FC to lurk horn with Morska FC by 11:00 a.m. While in the afternoon, Etto FC is to play against Mission Side FC as Constance DK FC and Alhaji FC trade tackles at 3:00 p.m.
The second round is expected to begin on Friday, March 10 as the defending champions: Bendel Insurance FC await winners between Osemwegie FC and Etete FC.
Meanwhile, Bendel Insurance FC; the defending champion and runners up Insurance Feeders in the 2022 season have been seeded and will be waiting to begin the FA Cup actions from the second round of the competition.
In the women category, Edo Queens and Fortress Ladies are the only teams registered for the competition; and they are to play in the finals in a date to be announced later.
The Edo FA secretary Emmanuel Ajibola in his remarks said a date for the Edo Queens, and Fortress Ladies game will be communicated to the two teams later.
While also appealing to all the participants to abide by the rules of the game; Ajibola enjoined them to as well take medical and health concerns of their players and officials with all seriousness.