The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that the National Play-Off matches for the 2025 President Federation Cup, in both the men’s and women’s categories, will take place on Wednesday, March 5.
This follows the successful conclusion of the preliminary rounds across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over the weekend.
Reigning champions El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri, along with past winners Lobi Stars, Bendel Insurance, Enugu Rangers, Shooting Stars, Heartland FC, Akwa United, and Kano Pillars, emerged victorious. However, in a surprising upset, four-time champions Enyimba FC were eliminated by Ahudiyannem FC via a penalty shootout in Umuahia.
The draw for the national competition is scheduled for Wednesday, March 12, 2025. After the National Play-Off, which will include several debutant teams, a total of 64 teams will advance to the main draw in Abuja. The Round of 64 matches are set to commence on March 19.
Men’s Competition – State Winners
Imo: Heartland FC 2-0 OISA FC
Niger: Atlantic FA 0-0 Harmony FA (Atlantic FA won 6-5 on penalties)
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
Adamawa: No competition
Edo: Bendel Insurance 3-0 Assemblies of God
Bauchi: Wikki Tourists 1-0 Warinje FC
Lagos: Ikorodu City 0-0 Inter Lagos (Inter Lagos won 5-4 on penalties)
Jigawa: Lautai United 0-2 Dandidi Babes
Rivers: Rivers United 0-0 Wilbros FC (Rivers United won 4-3 on penalties)
Ogun: Imperial FC 2-2 Beyond Limits (Imperial FC won 8-7 on penalties)
FCT: EFCC 0-0 FWC FC (FWC FC won 4-3 on penalties)
Osun: Osun United 0-1 Igbajo FC
Nasarawa: FC Basira 0-2 Nasarawa United
Enugu: Rangers Int’l 3-0 Ijele FC
Anambra: Solution FC 0-0 Edel FC (Edel FC won 2-0 on penalties)
Ondo: Sunshine Stars 0-0 Sunshine Stars U19 (Sunshine Stars won 4-3 on penalties)
Ekiti: COPDEM 0-1 NOSMAS FC
Borno: El-Kanemi Warriors 3-0 CP Strikers
Akwa Ibom: Akwa United 1-0 Eagle Eye FA
Oyo: Crown FC 0-0 Shooting Stars (Shooting Stars won 4-2 on penalties)
Kogi: Kogi Central FC 1-2 FC Bako
Katsina: Katsina United 1-0 Jnr Danburam
Ebonyi: Cynosure FC 0-1 Abakaliki FC
Kebbi: Discovery Talent Academy 1-5 Kebbi United
Bayelsa: Bayelsa United 2-2 Crusaders FC (Crusaders won 4-2 on penalties)
Kaduna: Simon Beb FA 1-1 Green Berets (Green Berets won 4-2 on penalties)
Gombe: Gombe United 3-1 El-Shama FC
Plateau: Mighty Jets Feeders 0-2 Plateau Utd
Cross River: Rovers FC 1-0 E-World
Delta: Warri Wolves 2-1 De Sapele Lions
Sokoto: Sokoto United 1-2 Sokoto North FC
Taraba: Technobat FC 0-1 Eagle Stars FC
Kano: Kano Pillars 3-2 Barau FC
Yobe: Yobe Desert Stars 10-1 Gujuba Academy
Zamfara: Zamfara United 1-0 Zamfara United Feeders
Women’s Competition – State Winners
Abia: Ahudiyannem Queens
Adamawa: Adamawa Queens
Akwa Ibom: Ibom Angels 3-0 Jacklyn Angels
Anambra: GP World FA
Bayelsa: Bayelsa Queens 8-0 Crystal Stars
Delta: Delta Queens 2-0 Delta Babes
Ebonyi: First Mahi Babes
Edo: Edo Queens 3-0 Fortress Ladies
Enugu: Queen of Softlanding FC
FCT: Naija Ratels 6-0 N-Youth Ladies FA
Imo: Heartland Queens
Kaduna: Gallant Queens 6-0 Kada Queens
Kogi: Confluence Queens
Kwara: Moje Queens 2-2 Kwara Ladies (Moje Queens won 4-3 on penalties)
Lagos: Unification Ladies 0-1 Dannaz Ladies
Nasarawa: Nasarawa Amazons
Ogun: Remo Stars Ladies 4-0 Castmong Ladies FC
Ondo: Sunshine Queens 3-3 Onimarg FC (Sunshine Queens won 4-2 on penalties)
Osun: Osun Babes FC
Plateau: Plateau United Queens 2-1 Mighty Jets Mata
Rivers: Rivers Angels 10-0 Sparkling Angels
The National Play-Off promises intense competition as teams battle for a place in the main draw. The President Federation Cup remains Nigeria’s most prestigious football knockout tournament, and this year’s edition is set to deliver thrilling encounters.
 has confirmed that the National Play-Off matches for the 2025 President Federation Cup, in both the men's and women’s categories, will take place on Wednesday, March 5.){kind=link}