Gateway United’s head coach, Henry Nwosu, has assured they will dish out the ‘Kano Pillars treat’ to his side’s Federation Cup round of 32 tie opponents, FC Abuja.
The Abeokuta-based side performed the near impossible in the round of 64 when they edged the Nigerian champions, Kano Pillars, while their Nigeria National League (NNL) opponents, FC Abuja, bundled out Glo Premier League side, Akwa United.
Both lower division sides will tap into their giant-killing prowess against each other today in Ado Ekiti to decide who advance to the round of 16.
Nwosu said his side had forgotten the five-star performance against the Pyramid City side and were poised to show the exit door to the Abuja-based side from the annual football showpiece.
“The players are in good shape, mentally and physically and are ready to challenge FC Abuja for the ticket to the round of 16.
“We’re not going to look down on the side as they’ve proven to be equally a good side as shown against Akwa United.
“However, we’ve put together same special Kano Pillars treat for them, what that means is that they won’t escape defeat.
“I foresee a situation whereby we’ll inflict on them more severe pain than we did on Kano Pillars. Our target is to go as far as to the final and challenge for the title.
“We’ll give FC Abuja their due respect off the pitch but on the field of play, I believe they may have bid goodbye to this year’s competition by the time we’re done with them on Thursday (today),” said the former Nigerian midfielder and Golden Eaglets’ head coach to supersport.com.
Today’s other fixtures:
Enyimba FC v Niger Tornadoes – Benin City
Nembe City v Ibom Youth – Enugu
3SC FC v Dynamite FC – Lokoja
Leopard FC v Crown FC – Lafia
Apa FC v Nasarawa United – Jos
Bendel Ins. v Bobbies FC – Ondo
Enugu Rangers v Giwa FC – Goal Project, Abuja
Yarmalight FC v Lobi Stars – Old Parade Ground, Abuja
FC Taraba v Plateau United – Katsina-Ala
Bayelsa United v FRSC FC – Ilorin
FC Abuja v Gateway FC – Ado-Ekiti
Tomorrow’s fixtures:
Heartland FC v Sharks FC – Goal Project, Abuja (2pm)
Abia Warriors v El-Kanemi Warriors – Goal Project, Abuja (4pm)
Kogi United v Dolphins FC – Benin City
First Bank v Gombe United – Lokoja (2pm)
Prime FC v Warri Wolves – Lokoja (4pm)
