Clubs currently participating at the ongoing Federation Cup also known as FA/ Aiteo Cup have threatened to pull out after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) sent Kwara United to Confederation of African Federation (CAF) as the country’s remauning representative for 2022/23 Confederation Cup.
The remaining clubs at the quarter-final level of the Aiteo Cup are Niger Tornadoes, Lobi Stars, Wikki Tourists, Nasarawa United, Heartland FC, Katsina United, Kogi United and Kano Pillars.
Confirming this development on Monday morning, President of NPFL Club Owners Association, Barr. Issac Danladi, said, “…We have made contacts with the Federation expecting their response before the close of work today (Monday), otherwise the eight clubs in the quarter final will have no other option than to stop further participation and withdraw from the Aiteo cup.
“In view of the circumstances, We hereby urge clubs affected by this development to remain calm and await further necessary action as Our decision is premised on the doctrines of justice, equity and fair play as ” injustice to one is injustice to all.”
Every regular football season, each CAF member country is allocated a number of slots for clubs to take part in both CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup.
For Nigeria, CAF has already provided four slots with three top clubs from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and winner of Federation Cup expected to represent the country at the competitions in line with continental and global best practices.
NPFL Champions Rivers United, Plateau United and Remo Stars finished as top three at the end of 2021/22 league season.