Three top Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) sides, Rivers United, Enyimba and Bendel Insurance are all out of the Federation Cup after suffering defeat in the Round of 16 played on Saturday across various centres.
Despite coming from two goals down, Rivers United lost out 5-3 on penalties against Nasarawa United with Enyimba also losing 5-4 on penalties to Ikorodu City after full time score stood at 1-1.
It also ended on penalties in the game between Insurance and El-Kanemi Warriors with Warriors edging the game 8-7 on penalties.
Insurance led the game 3-0 at some point but the game changed on its head after El-Kanemi Warriors got their first goal in the 63rd minute to put themselves back in the game.
Further goals in the 72nd and 87th minutes of the game secured the turnaround as they went on to win the game on penalties.
In other games played, Sokoto United defeated Adamawa United 2-0 with relegated Wikki Tourists progressing to the next round after a 3-1 defeat of Kada Warriors.
Plateau United also beat FC Basira 2-1 for a place in the quarterfinal while Barau eliminated Sunshine Stars U-19 2-1.
The last eight fixtures will see a Northern battle between Sokoto United and El-Kanemi Warriors while Wikki Tourists will take on Flight FC.
It is also another Northern war with Nasarawa United taking on Plateau United as Ikorodu City complete the final eight with a date against Barau FC.
