2021 Nigeria Federation Cup
The 2021 Nigeria Federation Cup (known as the 2021 Aiteo Cup for sponsorship reasons), was the 74th edition of the Nigeria Federation Cup. The tournament started on 27 June and ended with the final on 8 August.
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Country | Nigeria |
| Dates | 27 June – 8 August 2021 |
| Teams | 37 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Bayelsa United |
| Runner-up | Nasarawa United |
| CAF Confederation Cup | Bayelsa United |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 35 |
| Goals scored | 77 (2.2 per match) |
| All statistics correct as of 8 August 2021. | |
Kano Pillars were the defending champions from the 2019 tournament as the 2020 edition was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year's format changed a bit as only the 37 winners of each state competitions plus the FCT qualified rather than the winners and runners-up of each state as in the previous editions. However, most clubs were nominated by their state FAs since they could not organize a state tournament, this was as a result of trying to meet the CAF deadline for submission of representatives for the 2021–22 CAF Confederation Cup.
Bayelsa United won their first ever FA cup trophy on a day that marked history after defeating Nasarawa United 4–3 on penalties. They became the second club playing at the second division to win the cup after defunct Dolphins in 2001. With Bayelsa Queens having won the women's tournament, it became the first time two clubs from the same state won the men and women's cup in the same year.