Hopes of playing in the CAF Confederation Cup this year were dashed for former champions Enyimba and Rangers International after both were sent packing in the Round of 32 from this year's AITEO Cup.
Two-time CAF Champions League winners Enyimba FC of Aba and CAF Confederation Cup aspirants Remo Stars were also victims as a good number of the 16 matches on Wednesday threw up interesting results.
Defending champions Bayelsa United and Green Berets ended it 0-0 at the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus but Green Berets went ahead to win 5-4 on penalties.
Enugu Rangers were leading Heartland FC of Owerri at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City but the Imo State champions drew level and then went ahead to win 8-7 on penalties.
Enyimba and Niger Tornadoes failed to find the net over 90 minutes in Ijebu-Ode before penalty shoot-out came to the rescue and the Ikon Allah smiled home 6-5 winners, to reach the Round of 16.
In Abuja, Kwara United shot ahead in the first half against Wikki Tourists, who then leveled up and went ahead to win 4-3 on penalties at the FIFA Goal Project.
A marathon penalty shoot-out was needed to separate Nasarawa United and Sokoto United, who ended their tie 1-1 in Kaduna. The Solid Miners scraped through 11-10 after penalties and will be part of action in the Round of 16 scheduled for the weekend.
AITEO FEDERATION CUP 2022
ROUND OF 32 RESULTS (MEN)
Bayelsa United 0 Green Beret 0 (4-5 penalties)
Enyimba International 0 Niger Tornadoes 0 (5-6 penalties)
Doma United 0 Lobi Stars 3
Akure City Academy 2 Bendel Insurance Feeders 1
Rangers Int'l 1 Heartland FC 1 (7-8 penalties)
Sunshine Stars 5 Rovers FC 1
Cynosure FC 1 Katsina United 3
Remo Stars 0 Akwa United 3
Kogi United 2 Kanta United (5-4 penalties)
DMD FC 0 Housing Corporation 0 (4-2 penalties)
Zamfara United 0 Kano Pillars 5
Fulfill FC 0 El-Kanemi Warriors 1
Kwara United 1 Wikki Tourists 1 (3-4 penalties)
Bendel Insurance 1 Ottasolo FC 1 (4-3 penalties)
Sokoto United 1 Nasarawa United 1 (10-11 penalties)
ROUND OF 16 FIXTURES (MEN)
Green Beret Vs Niger Tornadoes
Lobi Stars Vs Akure City Vs Niger Tornadoes
Heartland FC Vs Dakkada FC
Sunshine Stars Vs Katsina United
Akwa United Vs Kogi United
DMD FC Vs Kano Pillars
El-Kanemi Warriors Vs Wikki Tourists
Bendel Insurance Vs Nasarawa United
