The Nigeria Football Association (NFA) on Wednesday fixed June 11 as kick-off date for the 2013 Federation Cup.

Mohammed Sanusi, NFA Director of competition, who disclosed this to newsmen in Abuja, said the date was agreed on by the NFA and the Nigerian league managers.

According to Sanusi, the first round of matches tagged; “Round of 64’’ will be staggered between June 11 and June 26 across different venues in the country.

“Some of the Premier League clubs have serious matches and so what we did was to stagger the matches so that the premiership clubs will not operate at a disadvantage.

“I think there is a team that has match on the 26. the matches will be played at neutral venues, we looked at equal distance and decided that if it’s going to be far for this team, it should be for the other team.

“Like in the case of Delta and Edo, coincidentally the two teams were paired for four teams.

“In one of the matches, Edo will have to cross over to go and play Delta, while the second match will see Delta crossing over to play Edo,’’ he said.

Sanusi also said that the kick-off date for the female event would be fixed next week.

He pointed out that fixing a date for the female competition would not be a difficult task as the female event would involve only 22 teams.

According to the match fixtures made available Ingas FC, Enugu will play Ranchers Bees, Kaduna at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja on June 11.

Other matches to be played on June 11 include; Makwada FC, Adamawa versus Gray’s Int’l FC at the FIFA Goal Project, Abuja and El-Kanemi Babes against Niger Tornadoes at the Jos Township stadium.

Other matches fixed for June 11 are; Katsina Sports light versus Bagu Mission FC at the Kaduna Township Stadium and Leopard FC, Cross Rivers against FC Taraba at the Katsina-Ala Township Stadium.

June 13 will see Reason FC, Ekiti battle Samba Kurna FC, Kano at the FIFA Goal Project, Abuja, while J. Atete FC, Delta will square up against Bendel Insurance FC at the Akure Township Stadium.

Sharks FC, Port Harcourt will host Kogi United FC at the Warri Township Stadium on June 19, as Plateau United confront Wikki Tourist, Bauchi at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.

Prime FC, Osogbo will test their might against Bayelsa FC at the Sam Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, on June 25, while Rangers FC Enugu, engage Danlawan FC, Jigawa, at the Jos Township Stadium.

In other matches, Gombe United FC will face Bussdor FC, Imo at Area 3 football pitch on June 19, while Enyimba FC, Aba tackles Police Machines, Nasarawa, in Ado Ekiti, also on June 19.

Sunshine Stars of Akure have tough foes in Fountain FC of Ekiti, at the Ilorin Township Stadium on June 19, while Kwara United of Ilorin test their might against Akwa Starlets, Uyo, in Oghara, Delta, same day.

However, Kaduna United face Unicem Rovers of Calabar at the Katsina Ala Township Stadium.

NFA also said that clubs must pay all fines (Red Card, Yellow Card etc) before their next match.

The NFA also urged Football Association secretaries of the host states to make all necessary arrangements for the matches. (NAN)