The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have confirmed Friday, August 11 for the draw of the first round matches of this year’s AITEO Cup competition.
The Aiteo Cup, which was formerly named Federations Cup will have the draw take place in Lagos on Friday, as dates for the fixture gets released.
Thenff.com gathered that the first round matches, which will involve the 64 surviving teams following the Preliminary Round played last week, will hold on Wednesday, 16th August 2017.
The draw for the second round matches will take place on Friday, 18th August while the matches will come up on 30th August. The draw for the third round matches will be conducted on 31st August, while the matches will be played on 13th and 16thSeptember.
The draw for the quarter –finals and semi –final matches will hold on 14th September, with the quarter –final matches to come up on 20th and 23rdSeptember. The semi –final matches are scheduled for 27th September and 4th October.
The grand final for the men’s event will take place on Sunday, 8th October, while the grand final for the women’s event has been scheduled for 2nd October.
As part of innovations to restore the glamour of the oldest football competition in the land, now bankrolled by Nigeria’s leading energy solutions company, AITEO, matches that end in a draw, from the first round, would not go into penalties as has been the case over the years.
NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, who is also secretary of the Organizing Committee, explained to thenff.com: “From the first round stage, teams would be designated A and B. Team A will have the prerogative to choose the centre for the match against Team B, from the pool of designated centres. If the match ends in a draw, Team B will now have the prerogative to pick a venue from the designated centres as its ‘home’ for the replay.
“This will apply to all matches from the first round stage.”
AITEO CUP 2017 SCHEDULE
Draw for 1st Round Matches: 11th August
1st Round Matches: 16th August
Draw for 2nd Round Matches: 18th August
2nd Round Matches: 30th August
Draw for 3rd Round Matches: 31st August
3rd Round Matches: 13th & 16th September
Draw for Quarter Final & Semi Final Matches: 14thSeptember
Quarter Final Matches: 20th & 23rd September
Semi Final Matches: 27th September & 4th October
Women’s Final: Monday 2nd October
Men’s Final: Sunday, 8th October
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