RIVERS State teams to the 2013 NFF Federation Cup, Sharks and Dolphins, have been readmitted into the 2013 edition of the competition by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) following the replay of the state FA Cup from the semi-final stage as directed by the federation.

The state football association was also made to pay of N500, 000, following the unconventional way it organised the officiating of the competition.

Also readmitted into the Federation Cup was Zamfara State FA, which has not featured in the competition for the past two editions.

Disclosing this at the draws for the 2013 edition of the competition yesterday in Abuja, NFF’s Director of Competitions, Mohammed Sanusi said the federation decided to include Rivers State teams in the draws following the decision of the state football association to obey the directives of the NFF to replay the matches, beginning from the semifinal finals stage.

Sanusi also noted that Zamfara State was readmitted into the competition because the state FA has cleared all the fines levied on it by the NFF following the unilateral decisions to pull out of the 2011 and 2012 editions, adding that Kaduna State representatives, Ranchers Bees, could be walked over if the state’s FA failed to pay the fine imposed on the team for the poor conduct of the state finals.

In yesterday draws, Lobi Stars of Makurdi was pitched against Crown of Ogbomosho, with NPFL side, 3SC of Ibadan to battle Gateway of Abeokuta.

Defending champions, Heartland FC, is on stand by and would join the fray from the second round.

Sunshine Stars will battle Fountain of Ekiti State, while El Kanemi of Mauduguri is drawn against Benue State champions, Apa United FC, with Enugu Rangers to face Dan Lawan of Jigawa.

Sanusi revealed that the June 26 proposed for the beginning of the first round of 63 teams may be brought forward because the NFF wants the Federation Cup to be rounded up on time.

He added that the federation would arrive at a date after discussions with the League management Company (LMC) to avoid a clash in the dates of the league and the Federation Cup.