Reigning champions Enyimba and Dolphins of Port-harcourt are among six Premier League clubs through to the quarter-final of the 2014 Federation Cup while Bendel Insurance fell to a narrow defeat.
Enyimba overcame fellow Premier League side Nembe City 2-1 in their round of 16 clash in Akure to set up a quarter-final match against Sharks of Port-Harcourt.
Sharks had eased to a 2-0 win over Dynamite FC in their last 16 match in Ado-Ekiti while city rivals and six-time champions Dolphins earned a 1-0 win over El-Kanemi Warriors through Emem Edouk’s goal on the stroke of half-time in Lafia.
Dolphins as a result will next face 2012 Federation Cup runners-up Lobi Stars, with the Makurdi club defeating Plateau United of Jos 6-5 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 in Minna.
Another Jos team, Giwa FC however went through to the quarter-final stage courtesy of a lone goal win over Bendel Insurance at the Ilorin Township Stadium.
Next up for Giwa FC in the last eight would be Crown FC that needed a penalty shoot-out to overcome Nasarawa United in their last 16 encounter played in Aba.
Lekan Agunloye gave Crown FC a first half lead but Nasarawa forced the match to penalties through a late Okan Oguosi goal. Crown would eventually prevail 5-4 in the penalty shoot-out.
Finally, the match between Bayelsa United and Gateway FC of Abeokuta is scheduled to be played later today at the Goal Project ground in Abuja, with the winner set to face Prime FC in the quarter-final.