Lagos underdogs Ikorodu City will contest their first ever President Federation Cup final after eliminating Nasarawa United on penalties, setting up a date with three time champions El-Kanemi Warriors.
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Ikorodu City are headed to the President Federation Cup final for the first time in their history, joining El-Kanemi Warriors who sealed their spot with a commanding 3-1 victory over Wikki Tourists at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina on Wednesday.
The Lagos club’s path to the final came through a nerve-shredding penalty shootout against Nasarawa United at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City. After the sides could not be separated in a 1-1 draw through regulation time, Ikorodu City held their nerve to win 4-2 from the spot.
Ayoola Ibrahim had given Ikorodu City the lead in the 11th minute, but Nasarawa United levelled just before the interval. From there, it took spot-kicks to separate the two sides, and the Lagos club delivered when it mattered. Fans looking to back Nigerian clubs in the final can check out the Bet9ja welcome bonus ahead of the showdown.
El-Kanemi Eye Fourth Title
In Katsina, El-Kanemi Warriors left no room for doubt. The Maiduguri-based side were three goals better than Wikki Tourists, recording a 3-1 win to secure their place in a second consecutive federation cup final. According to FootballInNigeria.com.ng, the Borno State club won their three titles in 1991, 1992, and 2024, and are now chasing a fourth.
Their 2024 triumph over Abia Warriors at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos was sealed by a Nasiru Salihu brace, ending a 32 year wait for the trophy. Now they arrive at another final as one of Nigerian football’s most storied cup sides. New bettors wanting to join the excitement can get started with the YOHAIG promo code before the final kicks off.
History Beckons for Ikorodu City
For Ikorodu City, this run represents the culmination of several years of steady growth. The club narrowly missed out on a CAF continental ticket in the NPFL this season, losing the final day race to Shooting Stars of Ibadan. The cup final now offers them a second route to continental football, as the winner of the President Federation Cup earns Nigeria’s slot in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Last year, Ikorodu City fell in the semi-finals at the same stage, losing on penalties to Abakaliki FC. The Lagos side have exorcised that memory in style, beating Gaa Akanbi, Jigawa Golden Stars, Enyimba, and Barau FC before seeing off Nasarawa United to reach the final. It is the kind of cup run that Nigerian football fans will be talking about for years. New fans signing up to follow the final can take advantage of Bet9ja’s registration offer to join the action.
Nasarawa United, for their part, must now deal with another semi final heartbreak at the very venue where they lost the 2021 final to Bayelsa United on penalties. History repeated itself painfully for the Solid Miners in Benin City.
Women’s Quarter-Finals Set for Thursday
The women’s competition shifts to the quarter final round on Thursday, with fixtures spread across multiple venues. At the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Sunshine Queens of Akure meet Confluence Queens of Lokoja at 1pm, before record-winners Rivers Angels take on FC Robo Queens in the later fixture.
Elsewhere, Heartland Queens of Owerri face Ibom Angels from Uyo in Aba, while Nasarawa Amazons take on Edo Queens in Anyigba. The women’s side of the competition has thrown up its own share of intriguing contests as clubs bid for a place in the semi finals.
📌 Did You Know?
- El-Kanemi Warriors were founded in 1986 by Colonel Abdulmumini Aminu, who served as Military Administrator of Borno State and later as NFA Chairman from 1996 to 1999.
- The club’s 2024 Federation Cup triumph ended a 32-year wait for the trophy, with their previous wins coming back-to-back in 1991 and 1992.
- Ikorodu City came agonisingly close to a CAF continental ticket in the NPFL this season, losing out to Shooting Stars of Ibadan on the final day of the league season.
- Nasarawa United have now suffered penalty shootout heartbreak at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in two separate finals rounds, losing to Bayelsa United in 2021 and Ikorodu City in 2026.
- El-Kanemi Warriors played their home games at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina between 2015 and 2016 due to the Boko Haram insurgency in Maiduguri, so Wednesday’s semi final venue carries deep history for the club.
- A President Federation Cup win earns the champion automatic entry into the CAF Confederation Cup, making this final worth far more than just domestic glory for both clubs.
- El-Kanemi Warriors defeated Krusaders FC, Akwa United, Bendel Insurance, and Sokoto United in their route to the semi finals, while Ikorodu City beat Gaa Akanbi, Jigawa Golden Stars, Enyimba, and Barau FC.
