2025 President Federation Cup: Heartland Queens fight Onimarge for Cup quarterfinals ticket

Posted : 03 May 2025

Nigeria's topflight side, Heartland Queens, will engage in a brave fight against non-league team Onimarge FC in Saturday's President Federation Cup round of 16 match at the main bowl of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in the ancient city of Benin, Edo State.

Saturday’s Cup clash will mark the first-ever meeting between both teams in any competition—competitive or otherwise.

The Owerri side comes into the country’s biggest Cup competition with a rich pedigree as perennial champions of the Imo State FA Cup and past national quarterfinalists. In contrast, their opponents are known mainly as the current vice-champions of the Ondo State FA Cup and are making their debut at the national level.

However, the Akure-based grassroots side has shown they can spring surprises when given the opportunity in this Cup tournament—often dubbed the 'Cup of Upsets'. They have already eliminated a big name in the round of 32, comfortably dispatching NWFL Championship side Fortress Ladies.

Heartland Queens advanced to this stage by eliminating the Bayelsa State vice-champions and former NWFL Championship side, Crystal Stars, in their round of 32 match, setting up this epic battle for a place in the last eight.

Bookmakers may quickly tip the Owerri side to win even before kickoff, but this highlights the notorious 'banana peel' syndrome, as the Cup has long proven to be no respecter of names. Heartland Queens, more than most, understand the need to remain fully alert to avoid a repeat of the heartbreak they suffered in the 2023 Cup round of 16 at the hands of then-NWFL amateur side Lakeside Queens, despite previously eliminating NWFL Premiership side Confluence Queens.

The man at the helm then and now is the same unassuming and soft-spoken Coach Obi Ogbala, and the painful memories of that 2023 Cup exit will surely guide his decisions as he selects his lineup to face the ambitious Akure-based underdogs.

Although his squad may be small in number, it is not short on quality. He must, however, devise a winning strategy to overcome the opposition and secure a quarterfinal berth.

The winner of this round of 16 clash will most likely face the victor of the matchup between topflight sides Delta Queens and Ibom Angels in the quarterfinals.

2025 President Federation Cup: Heartland Queens fight Onimarge for Cup quarterfinals ticket

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics