Rangers secured a place in the semi-finals of the President Federation Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Plateau United on Saturday in Abuja.
Chiedozie Okorie delivered the decisive strike on the half-hour mark, latching onto a long pass from goalkeeper Divine Onuorah to break the deadlock.
The tight encounter saw both sides create limited opportunities, but Rangers made the most of their chance and defended their narrow lead resolutely.
Their reward is a semi-final clash with Kwara United, who advanced after a dramatic penalty shootout against Akwa United at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.
That match ended 2-2 in regulation time following an explosive first half. Akwa United took control early with a penalty from Endurance Ebedebiri in the 18th minute, before Emmanuel Ini doubled their lead just six minutes later.
However, Kwara United responded swiftly, with Wasiu Alalade scoring twice before the interval to level the tie.
With neither team able to find a winner in the second half, the contest was settled from the spot. Kwara United showed composure under pressure, converting all five of their penalties. Akwa United, meanwhile, managed four successful kicks, falling just short of forcing sudden death.
In another quarter-final match held at the Bwari Stadium in Abuja, Ikorodu City edged Wikki Tourists 1-0 thanks to a second-half penalty from Shola Adelani.
The breakthrough came in the 55th minute after Ikorodu were awarded a spot-kick, which Adelani calmly slotted home to give his side the lead.
Despite a spirited push from Wikki Tourists in the closing stages, Ikorodu held firm to book their place in the final four.
They will now face Abakaliki FC in what promises to be another compelling semi-final showdown.
Abakaliki FC, a team from the Nigeria National League, earned their semi-final berth after defeating Nasarawa United 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
Garba Abubakar had given Nasarawa United the lead just before half-time, but their advantage was erased shortly after the restart when Ezema Ifeanyi converted a penalty for Abakaliki FC in the 50th minute.
With no further goals in regular time, the match proceeded to penalties. Abakaliki held their nerve to come out on top, continuing their impressive cup run and becoming the only lower-division side left in the competition.
The semi-final matchups are now set, with Rangers squaring off against Kwara United, while Ikorodu City take on Abakaliki FC.
Both fixtures promise high-stakes drama as teams battle for a place in the final of Nigeria’s prestigious domestic cup competition.
