The Competitions Department of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has moved the venue of the President Federation Cup Round of 16 clash between Enyimba and Abakaliki FC to Awka, Completesports.com reports.
The match was originally scheduled to take place at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu. However, following a protest by the hierarchy of the four-time Federation Cup winners—on the grounds that Enugu does not represent a neutral venue, being geographically closer to Abakaliki than Aba—the venue has been changed.
Consequently, the NFF accepted Enyimba’s position and relocated the match to the Awka City Stadium.
“Yes, we’re now going to play our Federation Cup Round of 16 match against Abakaliki FC in Awka,” an Enyimba official confirmed to Completesports.com on Thursday.
“We were not comfortable with Enugu as the match venue because it doesn’t offer neutrality. The NFF understood our concerns and moved the game to Awka,” the official added.
In a related development, Enyimba have also expressed concern over the rescheduling of their NPFL matchday 33 fixture against Sunshine Stars from Friday, 11 April, 2025 to Sunday, 13 April.
The nine-time Nigerian champions are worried that the new date leaves them with little time to prepare for their Federation Cup Round of 16 clash against Abakaliki FC.
“We were initially told the match against Sunshine Stars would be played on Friday, 11 April, and that it would be televised live.
“But now, we’ve been informed that the match will take place on Sunday, 13 April. How can we play at the Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu Ode on Sunday and travel to Awka on Monday, considering the security concerns in the South-East?
“Of course, the distance from Ijebu Ode to Awka must also be considered,” the Enyimba official said.
By Sab Osuji
