As the finals of the 2025 President Federation Cup comes up on the at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos, the joy is that the two finalists are yet to experience glory at competition. But one is an old soldier, the other a freshman.
It was 41 years ago that a certain Leventis United, led by Matthew Onyema, lifted the oldest cup in Nigerian football, as a third-tier division club side. And that is the element of surprise that the Abakaliki FC, hopes to exhibit on Saturday at the Onikan Water Front.
But the coach of the other finalists (Kwara United), Tunde Sanni made it clear to this writer: ‘We are the surprise team of the Federation Cup this year. We, as an old state, have waited for 49 years to get to this stage, a stage Alyufusalam Rocks got to in 1976, before Rangers stopped them with two unreplied goals to lift the cup. Ironically, it was the same Rangers that we stopped in the semifinal before getting here now. So, we are on a mission. Our continental ticket is waiting for us’. The Federation Cup final will represent Nigeria in next season’s CAF Comfederation Cup.
Sanni went further to explain how prepared his team is; how they arrived Lagos eight days ahead of the finals, training as if their lives depended on this cup; how their fans have promised that they have turned a new leave, attitude-wise, promising they will fill up Onikan Water Front on Saturday, cheering their team to victory.
‘Even our Emir and the Governor are solidly behind us. And we are highly motivated’, he added.
The journey to the top has been a fairly tale, not minding opponents’ status. Abakaliki FC, brought some slices of mixed fortunes as they got relegated to the National League One, from the Nigerian National League. But they got to the President Federation Cup final beating four Nigeria Premier Football League teams.
Kwara United (also known as the Harmony Boys) had both top teams and others for breakfast and lunch before coming to dinner with the Rice Boys.
Saturday promises to re-live the nostalgic times when Rangers and IICC (now 3SC) of Ibadan, used to turn Onikan to a great fun-filled ground.
– *Philip Chukwunweike Balepo*
