63 clubs to know Federation Cup opponents Thursday as NFA holds draw.

Sixty-three football clubs are to know their next opponents in the 2013 Federation Cup competition on Thursday as the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) holds the competition’s National Draw. The NFA also said Ranchers Bees FC of Kaduna may be barred from the competition because of a N200, 000 debt.

A statement issued by the NFA’s Assistant Director (Media), Ademola Olajire, said the draw was billed for the FIFA Technical Centre at the Abuja National Stadium Complex.

“The 63 clubs will be in the draw’s pot at the ceremony,’’ the statement quoted NFA’s Director of Competitions, Mohammed Sanusi, as saying.

It, however, said that no club from Yobe was registered for the annual competition, while Ranch Bees FC of Kaduna Sate would be disqualified from the ceremony.

“This will be if the club’s management failed to offset by Thursday morning an outstanding debt of N200, 000 payable since last year.

“The management of Ranch Bees has failed to pay this money, which is their fine for late registration for last year’s competition, despite several written undertakings to pay,” Mr. Sanusi was quoted to have said.

All the 20 Premier League clubs in the country and 22 clubs from the second-tier Nigeria National League would be involved in the draw.

Also, nine clubs from the Nationwide League as well as 12 non-league teams would be involved in the draw.

The statement said further that the draw would be accompanied by the draw for the Women’s Federation Cup competition, which will involve 22 clubs.

This year’s men’s Federation Cup final is to take place at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos on July 28.

The final of the women’s Federation Cup will hold a day before then on July 27.

(NAN)