Federation Cup: Pillars, Kwara Utd, Wikki crash out

SURPRISES which are synonymous with the Federation Cup otherwise known as the Challenge Cup came to the fore right from the first round of this year's edition, as two Nigeria Premier sides have been sent packing by less fancied teams.
The biggest casualty was Kano Pillars, Nigeria Premier League defending champions as they lost 1-2 at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja, to a Nigeria National League side, Gateway United of Abekouta handled by ex-international Henry Nwosu (MON).
Gateway came from behind to clinch a 2-1 victory with goals from Francis Olanrewaju (44th minute) and Opeyemi Oluwafemi (84th minute).
Also, another premier league side, Gombe United at the Kwara State Stadium, Ilorin lost 1-2 to Police Baton FC of Imo State in a Round of 64 game.
Though, harmonysport.blogspot.com learnt that Gombe United had since filed a protest to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), concerning the eligiblity of one of the Baton players while the verdict from the organisers is being awaited.
Interestingly, the star match of the first round fixtures was the clash at the Samuel Ogbemudia
Stadium, Benin between Sharks FC and relegated premier league side, Kwara United which ended in a 1-1 draw, before the Garden City lads later triumphed 4-3 via penalties.
Another upset was recorded at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna where Bendel Insurance defeated a premier league side, Sunshine Stars  of Akure 1-0, while the 2-1 victory of FC Abuja over premier league title contenders, Akwa United handled by ex-international goalkeeper, Patrick Udoh, also proved many bookmakers wrong.
Defending champions, Enyimba began the defence of their title in Abuja under returnee coach, Kadiri Ikhana, with a 3-1 victory over Sokoto North FC who scored first in the encounter.
Heartland coached by another veteran coach, Kelechi Emeteole a.k.a. Caterpillar survived Ebonyi United's scare, as they triumphed 4-3 via penalties after a 1-1 draw at regulation time.
Meanwhile, the Round of 32 matches of the competition would be staged on Wednesday and Thursday, July 9 and 10 in designated venues by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
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Federation Cup Round of 64 results:  

Nasarawa United                 3  Young Elephants 2
Abia Warriors                      2  Mafara United   0
Dolphins FC                       3  Ingas FC        1
Apa United                        1   Ekiti United    0
FC Lokoja                        2   First Bank FC   4
Enyimba                            3   Sokoto North    1
CBN Cashless                  0   Nembe City      2
Remo Stars                       0   Bayelsa United  1
Gombe United                 1    Baton FC        2
Heartland                       4     Ebonyi United   3 (pen.) (1-1)
Kwara United                3     Sharks FC       4 (pen.) (1-1)
AS Racine                     4     Taraba          5 (pen.) (0-0)
Prime                             3     El-kanemi Babes 1 (pen.) (0-0)
Bendel Insurance           1    Sunshine Stars 0
Shooting Stars               2    Dalhatu FC      0
Bright Stars                   1    Crown FC        4 (pen.) (1-1)
Kano Pillars                 1   Gateway United 2
Dynamite                    4   Ranchers Bees   0
Kogi United                2   Yobe Stars      1
Leopards                   3     Kaduna United   0 (W/O)
Enugu Rangers           2    Ikpeazu Redoubtable 0
Lobi Stars                   2    Tornadoes Feeders  0
Akwa United              1     FC Abuja           2
Dan Buran                  0    Warri Wolves  3 (W/O)
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Caption: Henry Nwosu, coached Gateway United to eliminate Kano Pillars from the Federation Cup.