The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced that the National Play-Offs for the 2025 President Federation Cup in both the men’s and women’s categories will be held on Wednesday, March 5. This follows the successful completion of the state-level preliminaries across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) last weekend.

In the men’s competition, defending champions El-Kanemi Warriors and former winners such as Lobi Stars, Bendel Insurance, Enugu Rangers, Shooting Stars, Heartland FC, Akwa United, and Kano Pillars emerged victorious in their respective states. However, there was a major upset as four-time champions Enyimba FC were knocked out by Ahudiyannem FC after a penalty shootout in Umuahia.

The Draw for the National Competition is scheduled for Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Abuja. After the National Play-Off, 64 teams will qualify for the Round of 64, which will begin on March 19.

Men’s Competition Results

    •    Imo: Heartland FC 2-0 OISA FC
    •    Abia: Enyimba 0-0 Ahudiyannem FC (Ahudiyannem won 3-1 on penalties)
    •    Kwara: Kwara United 1-1 ABS (Kwara United won 5-4 on penalties)
    •    Benue: Lobi Stars 2-1 Flight FC
    •    Edo: Bendel Insurance 3-0 Assemblies of God
    •    Enugu: Rangers Int’l 3-0 Ijele FC
    •    Akwa Ibom: Akwa United 1-0 Eagle Eye FA
    •    Oyo: Crown FC 0-0 Shooting Stars (Shooting Stars won 4-2 on penalties)
    •    Kano: Kano Pillars 3-2 Barau FC
    •    Yobe: Yobe Desert Stars 10-1 Gujuba Academy
    •    Zamfara: Zamfara United 1-0 Zamfara United Feeders

Other winners include Atlantic FA, Wikki Tourists, Dandidi Babes, Rivers United, Imperial FC, Igbajo FC, Nasarawa United, Edel FC, Sunshine Stars, NOSMAS FC, Katsina United, Abakaliki FC, Kebbi United, Crusaders FC, Green Berets, Gombe United, Plateau Utd, Rovers FC, Warri Wolves, **Sokoto