Federation Cup Update: Rivers United joins competition at last-eight stage

Rivers United will start their 2026 Federation Cup campaign from the quarter-finals, giving them a direct entry into the last-eight stage of the competition.

This bye means they will skip the early rounds and focus on preparing for tougher matches ahead.

The Pride of Rivers will face the winner of the first-round clash between Star FC and Reign FC.

This match is expected to be highly competitive, as both clubs have shown strong performances in the preliminary stages of the tournament.

The quarter-final is scheduled for Thursday, April 16, and fans are already looking forward to seeing Rivers United showcase their skills on the national stage.

The team has a rich history in the competition and will be aiming to reclaim glory this season.

The opening-round matches will kick off on April 10. Tobinsnet FC will take on DeCardinal FC in what promises to be an exciting game. On April 13, Willbros FC will play Prime7 FC, while De-Future Stars FC will meet Ereme Jackson FC. These early-round matches will determine who advances to face teams like Rivers United in the later stages.

The semi-finals are set for April 20-21, with the men’s final scheduled for April 25 at 3 p.m. Both semi-final and final matches will be played at the Sharks Stadium and Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, which are well-known for hosting major football events in Nigeria.

With Rivers United entering the tournament at the quarter-final stage, expectations are high.