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Four previous winners, including the defending champions, headline the men's Aiteo Cup quarterfinals, which take place this week. The first of the two-legged matches are on Wednesday, September 20, while the second legs will be on Saturday, September 23. KweséESPN takes a closer look at the four first leg matches: Niger Tornadoes vs. Plateau United Two former champions clash in the North Central derby, which takes place in Lokoja. Niger Tornadoes, winners of the 2000 edition of the competition, will aim to utilise home advantage in the first-leg against current NPFL champions, who were also cup champions the year before the Solid Miners' triumph. It does appear Plateau United will be the fresher of the two teams, considering Tornadoes were involved in a round of 16 replay on Saturday, a game they emerged 1-0 winners against FC Abuja. The home team have recorded successive 1-0 home victories against lesser opposition and coming up against an in-form Plateau United side in a derby could prove to be a tough task. Osun United vs. Sunshine Stars Former Nigeria international Duke Udi makes an emotional return to face an Osun United team he built in the South West derby, having made the step-up from the lower division to the top-flight in May. In the build-up to the game, Udi spoke to the Sunshine Stars official Twitter handle ahead of the derby. "Osun United are a team I built. Facing them will be very emotional, but as a professional, I seek victory for my side. "I know them very well. They are a good side that fight just like us, but they will see a new Sunshine. We know what is at stake, in a bid to secure a convincing first-leg result to make the return leg a formality." Indeed, Sunshine Stars should feel confident of earning a result in this tie, after ending the run of giant-killers Ngwa FC in the previous round, as they look to capitalise on the momentum and apparent superiority. FC Ifeanyi Ubah vs. ABS FC Last year's winners FC Ifeanyi Ubah are home to ABS FC in what could prove to be a one-sided game. The visitors earned a quarterfinal spot by virtue of an away win against Unicem Rovers in Calabar, with Wasiu Alalade the match hero. They face an entirely different opposition in FC Ifeanyi Ubah, who are eager to retain both their title and qualification for continental event. With that in mind, an away win for ABS in the first-leg of this contest between two privately-sponsored clubs looks highly unlikely, given the solid home record of the Nnewi-based team and their multi-talented squad. Akwa United vs. Katsina United Feeders Akwa United are at home to amateur side Katsina United Feeders, thanks to the luck of the draw. The Promise Keepers were ruthless in a 5-1 round of 16 victory against Shooting Stars and will be optimistic of bettering that score against the rookies, ahead of a potential long trip to Katsina for the return leg. Despite the absence of key players, due to a combination of injuries and international commitments, Akwa United have continued to set the pace in the domestic cup competition and it does appear it will be a valuable learning curve for Katsina United Feeders at the end of regulation time.
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