Top-flight sides in Nigeria are set to know their opponents in the 2016 Federation Cup when the draws take place on May 5.
Cup holders Akwa United as well as last year's runners-up Lobi Stars will feature alongside 16 clubs from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
Among the top division sides for the Cup competitions are former winners 3SC, Enugu Rangers, Enyimba, Heartland, El-Kanemi Warriors, Plateau United and Wikki Tourists.
Akwa United captain Otobong Effiong told supersport.com that his club are looking forward to defending their title this season though he acknowledged that the focus at the moment is on the league.
"We are ready for the Federation Cup whenever it starts. I know most teams won't take games against us easy this time, but we want to defend that title. For now we are focused on the league until we are involved in the Cup," he said to supersport.com.
At least 61 clubs are billed to take part in the men's version of the Cup competition this year.
In the women's version of the Federation Cup, 22 clubs would be involved including defending champions Sunshine Queens.
THE WOMEN'S TEAMS
COD United Ladies, FC Robo (Lagos); Capital City Doves (FCT); Sure Babes (Kwara); Nasarawa Amazons (Nasarawa); Rivers Angels (Rivers), Delta Queens (Delta); Bayelsa Queens (Bayelsa); Abia Angels, Gift of Life (Abia); Edo Queens, Martins White Doves (Edo); Tokas Queens, Mosco Queens (Ogun); Sunshine Queens, Rising Queens (Ondo); Confluence Queens (Kogi); Katsina Queens (Katsina); Osun Queens (Osun); Ibom Angels, Alberto Queens (Akwa Ibom); Pelican Stars (Cross River)
THE MEN'S TEAMS
Enyimba FC, Abia Warriors (Abia); Akwa United FC, Starlets FC (Akwa Ibom); FC IfeanyiUbah (Anambra); Wikki Tourists, Wikki Tourists Feeders (Bauchi); Yenagoa City, Nembe City (Bayelsa); Lobi Stars, Dreams FC (Benue); El-Kanemi Warriors, El-Kanemi Babes (Borno); Rovers FC (Cross River); Warri Wolves, J. Atete (Delta); Ebonyi United (Ebonyi); Inneh Stars, Dynamite FC (Edo); Enugu Rangers (Enugu); Top World, Ekiti United (Ekiti); FC Abuja, FRSC FC (FCT); Yarmalight FC, Flash Flamingoes (Gombe); Heartland FC, Papilo FC (Imo); Jigawa Golden Stars (Jigawa); Kaduna United (Kaduna); Kano Pillars (Kano); Katsina United, Katsina United Jnr (Katsina); Galadima Best, Zara FC (Kebbi); Kwara United, ABS FC (Kwara); Kogi United, FC Lokoja (Kogi); MFM FC, Bridge FC (Lagos); Nasarawa United, Akwanga Selected (Nasarawa); Niger Tornadoes (Niger); Sunshine Stars, Akure City (Ondo); Gateway FC, Almar FC (Ogun); Prime FC (Osun); 3SC, Crown FC (Oyo); Plateau United, Giwa FC (Plateau); Rivers United, Go-Round FC (Rivers); Sokoto United, Fasbir FC (Sokoto); Gashaka Green Buffaloes (Taraba); Yobe Desert Stars, Damaturu United (Yobe); FC Zamfara (Zamfara)