Kogi Federation Cup kicks off on Saturday as nine teams jostle for honours

The 2015 Federation Cup in Kogi State will get underway on Saturday with nine teams competing for honours to displace reigning champions, Kogi United.
At the draws conducted at the Kogi State FA office, three of nine participating teams – National League side Kogi United, NationWide League sides FC Lokoja and Ankpa Leopards – were drawn bye in the preliminary stages of the competition.
Other registered clubs for the Federation Cup are Koto-Karfe Ambassadors, Idah United, Kogi State University, Federal Medical Centre, FC Twenty Four and Rising Stars.
The opening day fixture will see Kogi State University FC take on Federal Medical Centre on Saturday at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja.
FC Twenty-Four will battle Rising Stars on Sunday, while Koto-Karfe Ambassadors will slug it out with Idah United on March 18 in Lokoja.
Title holders, Kogi United, drawn bye, will await the winner from the KSU versus FMC match and FC 24 against Rising Stars for the semi-final match scheduled for March 24.
However, 2011 winners and last year’s finalists, Lokoja FC, will on March 26 play the winner between Ankpa Leopard and March 18 victor from KK Ambassadors versus Idah United.
The two finalists, which will contend for the state final scheduled for April 4, 2015 at the Confluence Stadium, will represent the state at the national finals.
Kogi United defeated local rivals, FC Lokoja, 7-6 on penalties in last year’s final.