By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
The much-expected clash between two old rivals, Bendel Insurance of Benin City and Calabar Rovers football did not take place on Sunday at Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, as Rovers failed to show up in the first round of the 2021 AITEO Cup competition.
Prompt News can confirm that the Cross River state-owned club failed to honour the match in Aba and was consequently walked over and Bendel Insurance awarded the tie by the match officials in accordance with the rules guiding the competition.
Elsewhere, former Nigeria Premiership side, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan was in devastating form as they walloped hapless FC Technobat of Taraba 8-0 at Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna.
At Rwan Pam Stadium in Jos, Plateau state, El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri beat newcomers Ngwa United from Abia state 2-0 while in Abuja, Aspire FC lost 3-1 to Yobe Desert Warriors at FIFA Goal Project artificial ground at Abuja National Stadium Package B. However, the encounter between former champions, Bayelsa United NAF FC of Abuja at Ilorin Township Stadium in Kwara state on Sunday could not hold due to logistics challenges. The match will take place at same venue today.
According to the fixtures for the competition released by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Competitions Department and signed by Wilfred Onaji, Head of AITEO Cup Competition, five teams out of ten playing in the preliminary stage will gain passage to the second round.
As it stands, Bendel Insurance, El-Kanemi, 3SC and Yobe Desert Warriors have qualified for the next stage.
