Julius OkorieEl-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri, and Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt , have emerged Champions of this year’s Federation Cup in the men and women categories.
The battle field was the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Saturday, where contrary to predictions in some quarters that Abia Warriors will win the battle of Warriors, El-kanemi carried the day.
Prime Business Africa, reports that Abia Warriors were seen as the favourites to win the Federation Cup due to their impressive run in the just concluded 2023-2024 NPFL campaign.
The Aba-based side recorded 15 wins, 7 draws, and 16 defeats in 38 league games, finishing 12th in the just concluded Premier league season that saw Rangers International emerge as Champions.
A brace by El-kanemi’s Nasiru Salisu was all that was needed to hand El-kanemi, who spent the last season in the lower league (Nigeria National League (NNL), the victory.
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It will mark the third time the Maiduguri-based side will be winning the Federation cup having won back to back in 1991 and 1992 respectively.
The victory is icing on the cake for the champions with promotion into the elite division in the kitty, Federation Cup crown and continental ticket to represent Nigeria in the CAF Confederation Cup in the 2024-2025 season.
In the women’s category, Rivers Angels, pip Niaja Ratels to win the title for the 9th time, with their last victory dating back to 2018.
A lone goal by Blessing Okpe, thanks to a neatly converted penalty just before the end of the first half was all that was needed to seal the deal for the Port Harcourt-based Angels.
The spot-kick was given after Naija Ratels defender, Adebayo Jumai, handled the ball inside the box. Okpe’s clinical strike beat goalkeeper, Faith Omilani and proved the winner.
Rivers Angels veterans of both the Women league proved bookmakers right when they were tipped to carry the day, considering their wealth of experience in the round-leather game over the years. Recall that the Rivers Angels first won the title in 2010 and held it tenaciously for eight consecutive times with only a break in 2015.
Head coach, Whyte Ogbonda, praised his team’s resilience and tactical discipline, crediting their hard work and determination for the historic victory.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
