Tag: President Federation Cup

The Enyimba Stadium in the renowned commercial city of Aba is the setting for tomorrow’s President Federation Cup semi-final clash between multiple winners Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt and Ibom Angels of Uyo.

Rivers Angels have dominated the women’s version of the competition that has been known by various names over the decades (FA Cup, Federation Cup) before the rechristening as President Federation Cup last year. While Ufuoma Babes, Pelican Stars (both defunct) and Delta Queens took turns to dominate in the early years, Rivers Angels have been by far the superior team over the past 15 years.

Warri-based Ufuoma Babes were champions four times (1992-1994, 1996), while Pelican Stars of Calabar won in 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2002. Delta Queens smiled home with the trophy in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2009 – their hegemony broken only by Nasarawa Amazons in 2005.

Rivers Angels re-defined domination when they won between 2010 and 2014, and after Sunshine Queens took the 2015 title, continued their glory run through 2016 to 2018. In 2019, Nasarawa Amazons, who had beaten Ibom Angels in the semi-finals, defeated Rivers Angels in a colourful final in Kaduna. After losing the 2023 final to Bayelsa Queens following a penalty shootout in Asaba, the Angels from Port Harcourt pipped Naija Ratels 1-0 in last year’s final in Lagos to reclaim the trophy.

Tomorrow, the Cup holders will have their work cut out against nifty Ibom Angels in what is a repeat of the 2017 and 2018 Final matches, which Rivers Angels won on both occasions.

Read Also: Otti  woos investors for proposed  Abia Stadium City

In the second semi-final, Edo Queens will take on 2005 and 2019 champions Nasarawa Amazons in what promises to be an explosive session in Kogi State’s university town, Ayingba.

To reach this stage, Rivers Angels defeated Moje Queens in the Round of 32 in Benin City, routed First Mahi Babes 5-0 in the Round of 16 and edged determined Remo Stars Ladies 3-1 on penalties in the quarter finals after both were tied 1-1 in regulation time. Ibom Angels halted Rivers State’s other flag-bearer Sporting Angels in the Round of 32, then saw off Delta Queens and Heartland Queens in subsequent rounds.

Edo Queens eliminated Kada Queens in the Round of 32 and then bumped Osun Babes and Unification Ladies, while Nasarawa Amazons saw off Kwara Ladies in the Round of 32, before eliminating 2021 and 2023 winners Bayelsa Queens in the Round of 16, and Sunshine Queens in the quarter finals.       

SEMI FINALS (WOMEN):

24-05-25: Rivers Angels (Rivers) Vs. Ibom Angels (Akwa Ibom) – Aba –1pm

24-05-25:Edo Queens (Edo) Vs. Nasarawa Amazons (Nasarawa) – Ayingba – 1pm

RESULTS OF SEMI FINALS (MEN):

Abakaliki FC (Ebonyi) 0-0 Ikorodu City (Lagos) – Abakaliki FC win 5-4 on penalties

Kwara United (Kwara) 1-0 Rangers Int’l (Enugu)

MEN’S FINAL:

Abakaliki Fc vs. Kwara United

Formed barely seven months’ old,  Abakaliki FC yesterday  stunned  Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, Ikorodu City FC to progress to the final of the 2025 President Federation Cup

The ‘Rice Boys’ who plies their trade in the Nigeria National League (NNL) , defeated Ikorodu City 5-4 on penalties after  both sides ended the proceeding  goalless in regulation time in a game decided in Bwari, Abuja.

Goalkeeper Elochukwu Pascal was the hero of the day as he converted the winning penalty after saving the opponent’s sixth penalty kick. 

Read Also: NFF  hails Aluo over transformation of NNL   

Incidentally, Abakaliki FC dumped Yobe Desert Stars in the Round of 64, and also overcame Katsina United, Enyimba FC and Nasarawa United in subsequent rounds.

They are set to face Kwara United in the final after the Ilorin-based  team defeated Rangers International  of Enugu  1-0 in the second semi-final seceded in Lagos.

Former Flying Eagles striker Wasiu Alalade scored the winning goal for Kwara United against Enugu Rangers.

Both finalists for this year have never won the title before meaning that there will be a first-ever winner of the Federation Cup this year. 

Technical Adviser of Rangers, Fidelis Ilechukwu, is upbeat that the Flying Antelopes would bounce from their shambolic home loss to Heartland  to place Bendel Insurance where they truly belong at the end of their President Federation Cup Round of 16 tie.

Today, football fans in Lagos will be treated to a potentially thrilling encounter between the finalists of the 2023 Federation Cup won then by Bendel Insurance in Asaba after a 1-0 win.

The iconic Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, Victoria Island, Lagos, will be the battleground for this clash, with kick-off scheduled for 4:00 pm this afternoon.

Read Also: First Lady closes African Women’s volleyball club championship

The Super Eagles Assistant coach affirmed that Rangers have what it takes to beat any opponent and that despite injuries that have blighted his squad, he is confident he would present a team good enough to defeat Bendel Insurance and head to the quarter final.

“I believe we have what it takes to go past our opponents who I must confess are in their best form lately,” Ilechukwu said. “Despite our injury worries, we have the talent to get the job done in Lagos.

 “We have prepared very well for this match, and by God’s grace, we shall overcome.”

Both teams gave a glimpse of what to expect today in Lagos when they flashed at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin almost two weeks ago with the Flying Antelopes leaving the Edo Arsenals fortress unhurt in a goalless draw.

Heartland’s Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke, has challenged his boys to show the character of champions as they step out against Rangers today in Awka in a Round of 32 of the President Federation Cup.

The Naze Millionaires swept aside CP Strikers of Borno State in the Round of 64 tie played in Jos while the Flying Antelopes defeated Kano Pillars 1-0 in Abuja.

Amuneke who addressed the players shortly before yesterday’s light walkout emphasised that the team could use a win over Rangers in the President Federation Cup to serve as springboard to something greater said they must play with all they had to achieve success

“We are up against our South East brothers. The battles between both teams have always been fierce and we expect the same scenario,” Amuneke said to the club’s media. “We shall still face them again next weekend in the league but we must lay down a marker with this fixture.”

Read Also: Athletes, officials laud NDSF Accreditation Process

Elsewhere, Akwa United head coach, Kennedy Boboye, is eager to lead his boys to the pitch as they clash with Mighty Jets Feeders today in another President Federation Cup Round of 32 clash at Anyigba in Kogi State.

The Promise Keepers, champions in 2015 and 2017 made it to the round of 32 after eliminating Kebbi United 2-1 in the round of 64 in Abuja last month.

Boboye who has selected a squad of twenty players including youngsters Emmanuel Ini, Etiene Asuquo, Paschal Onunze Tochuwku Samuel, Ibrahim Akande and Osoba Kabir as well as captain Jean Efala, Endurance Ebedebiri, Uche Sebastine, Seyi Oguntayo, Ubong Essien, Edidiong Ezekiel amongst others for the crucial game said his boys must get the job done early in the game.

“This is a cup competition that can give us opportunity to qualify for the continent. We shall give it our best shot and ensure we get the job done quite early to avoid what we witnessed in the last round,” Boboye told the club’s media.

The Nigeria Football Federation has affirmed that the National Play-Off games or this year’s President Federation Cup men and women competition will take place on Wednesday, 5th March, following the successful completion of the preliminaries in the 36 States and the FCT at the weekend.

Cup holders El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri, as well as former winners Lobi Stars of Makurdi, Bendel Insurance of Benin City, Enugu Rangers, Shooting Stars, Heartland FC, Akwa United and Kano Pillars were among the winners, while four-time champions Enyimba FC of Aba surprisingly lost to Ahudiyannem FC following a penalty shootout in Umuahia.

The Draw for the National Competition will hold on Wednesday, 12^th  March 2025. After the National Play-Off, which will involve a number of newcomer-teams, a total of 64 teams will emerge for the draw that will take place in Abuja, with the Round of 64 competition scheduled for 19^th  March.

ALL THE WINNERS (MEN’S COMPETITION)

Imo: Heartland FC 2-0 OISA FC

Niger: Atlantic FA 0-0 Harmony FA (Atlantic FA win 6-5 on penalties)

Abia: Enyimba 0-0 Ahudiyannem FC (Ahudiyannem win 3-1 on penalties)

Kwara: Kwara United 1-1 ABS (Kwara United win 5-4 on penalties)

Benue: Lobi Stars 2-1 Flight FC

Adamawa: No competition

Edo: Bendel Insurance 3-0 Assemblies of God

Bauchi: Wikki Tourists 1-0 Warinje FC

Lagos: Ikorodu City 0-0 Inter Lagos (Inter Lagos win 5-4 on penalties)

Jigawa: Lautai United 0-2 Dandidi Babes

Rivers: Rivers United 0-0 Wilbros FC (Rivers United win 4-3 on penalties)

Ogun: Imperial FC 2-2 Beyond Limits (Imperial FC win 8-7 on penalties)

Read Also: FIFA congratulates Sanusi on re-appointment at NFF

FCT: EFCC 0-0 FWC FC (FWC FC win 4-3 on penalties)

Osun: Osun United 0-1 Igbajo FC

Nasarawa: FC Basira 0-2 Nasarawa United

Enugu: Rangers Int’l 3-0 Ijele FC

Anambra: Solution FC 0-0 Edel FC (Edel win 2-0 on penalties)

Ondo: Sunshine Stars 0-0 Sunshine Stars U19 (Sunshine Stars win 4-3 on penalties)

Ekiti: COPDEM 0-1 NOSMAS FC

Borno: El-Kanemi Warriors 3-0 CP Strikers 

Akwa Ibom: Akwa United 1-0 Eagle Eye FA

Oyo: Crown FC 0-0 Shooting Stars (Shooting Stars win 4-2 on penalties)

Kogi: Kogi Central FC 1-2 FC Bako

Katsina: Katsina United 1-0 Jnr Danburam

Ebonyi: Cynosure FC 0-1 Abakaliki FC

Kebbi: Discovery Talent Academy 1-5 Kebbi United

Bayelsa: Bayelsa United 2-2 Crusaders FC (Crusaders win 4-2 on penalties)

Kaduna: Simon Beb FA 1-1 Green Berets (Green Berets win 4-2 after penalties)

Gombe: Gombe United 3-1 El-Shama FC

Plateau: Mighty Jets Feeders 0-2 Plateau Utd

Cross River: Rovers  FC 1-0 E-World

Delta: Warri Wolves 2-1 De Sapele Lions

Sokoto: Sokoto United 1-2 Sokoto North FC

Taraba: Technobat FC 0-1 Eagle Stars FC

Kano: Kano Pillars 3-2 Barau FC

Yobe: Yobe Desert Stars 10-1 Gujuba Academy

Zamfara: Zamfara United 1-0 Zamfara United Feeders

ALL THE WINNERS (WOMEN’S COMPETITION)

Abia: Ahudiyannem Queens

Adamawa: Adamawa Queens

Akwa Ibom: Ibom Angels 3-0 Jacklyn Angels

Anambra: GP World FA

Bayelsa: Bayelsa Queens 8-0 Crystal Stars

Delta: Delta Queens 2-0 Delta Babes

Ebonyi: First Mahi Babes

Edo: Edo Queens 3-0 Fortress Ladies

Enugu: Queen of Softlanding FC

FCT: Naija Ratels 6-0 N-Youth Ladies FA

Imo: Heartland Queens

Kaduna: Gallant Queens 6-0 Kada Queens

Kogi: Confluence Queens

Kwara: Moje Queens 2-2 Kwara Ladies (Moje Queens win 4-3 on penalties)

Lagos: Unification Ladies 0-1 Dannaz Ladies

Nasarawa: Nasarawa Amazons

Ogun: Remo Stars Ladies 4-0 Castmong Ladies FC

Ondo: Sunshine Queens 3-3 Onimarg FC (Sunshine Queens win 4-2 on penalties)

Osun: Osun Babes FC

Plateau: Plateau United Queens 2-1 Mighty Jets Mata

Rivers: Rivers Angels 10-0 Sparkling Angels

After a very busy weekend of hostilities which culminated in the emergence of champions from 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) at the ongoing President Federation Cup (PFC), strategic partners to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), GTI Asset Management and Trust Limited, has congratulated the teams for emerging victorious and being worthy ambassadors of their states.

GTI Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba congratulated both the men and women teams that featured at the state finals for proving their mettle and hopes the energy, grit, technical and tactical discipline they exhibited during the state finals will be replicated when action commences at the national finals.

He said:  “GTI’s journey of taking the President Federation Cup to the next level has commenced this year after our maiden outing last year. GTI Group congratulates the champions from the various states and FCT for living up to billing.

 “As expected, there were upsets. In Abia for example, 2022/2023 Nigeria Premier Football League champions Enyimba of Aba were beaten 3-1 on penalties after a pulsating 0-0 draw with an NLO club, Ahudiya Nnem FC. The Abiriba-based amateur side had earlier defeated Abia Warriors at the semi-finals, thus setting the stage for another scintillating PFC national finals.

Read Also: NFF unveils Éric Chelle as Super Eagles’ 37th coach

“In other results, perennial Enugu State President Federation Cup champions, Rangers International FC were lucky as they emerged champions courtesy of a 3-0 spanking of NNL side, Ijele FC in the final match played on Saturday, February 22, 2025.

 “Rangers’ young midfield sensation, Daniel Onyia broke the deadlock in 33rd minute when he rifled home a shot from a distance of thirty meters and Ijele FC goalkeeper was beaten hands-down.

 “Again, in the 54^th  minute, Michael Uchebo stabbed home the second goal for the ‘Flying Antelopes’ after receiving a pass from Effimi Nsi and later in the 67^th  minute, Daniel Onyia grabbed his brace as his long-range shot took a wicked deflection to send the opponent’s shot stopper, Ojobo Ifebuche, the wrong way for the third goal at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.”

Elsewhere, in Benue, Lobi Stars once again, emerged as champions of the 2025 President Federation Cup after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over a determined Flight FC of Gboko at the Benue State University Sports Complex, Makurdi. The Pride of Benue took an early lead in the 20th minute when Johnmark Aule curled a stunning free kick into the net, setting the tone for an electrifying contest. However, Flight FC responded just before halftime, with John Lim restoring parity in the 45th minute.

A second-half goal (54^th  minute) from Samuel Tiza was enough to prove decisive in the thrilling encounter that saw Alia Boys emerge champions.

Below is the breakdown of all the results from the 36-state finals and FCT in both men and women categories of PFC.

ALL THE WINNERS (MEN’S COMPETITION)

Imo: Heartland FC 2-0 OISA FC

Niger: Atlantic FA 0-0 Harmony FA (Atlantic FA win 6-5 on penalties)

Abia: Enyimba 0-0 Ahudiyannem FC (Ahudiyannem win 3-1 on penalties)

Kwara: Kwara United 1-1 ABS (Kwara United win 5-4 on penalties)

Benue: Lobi Stars 2-1 Flight FC

Adamawa: No competition

Edo: Bendel Insurance 3-0 Assemblies of God

Bauchi: Wikki Tourists 1-0 Warinje FC

Lagos: Ikorodu City 0-0 Inter Lagos (Inter Lagos win 5-4 on penalties)

Jigawa: Lautai United 0-2 Dandidi Babes

Rivers: Rivers United 0-0 Wilbros FC (Rivers United win 4-3 on penalties)

Ogun: Imperial FC 2-2 Beyond Limits (Imperial FC win 8-7 on penalties)

FCT: EFCC 0-0 FWC FC (FWC FC win 4-3 on penalties)

Osun: Osun United 0-1 Igbajo FC

Nasarawa: FC Basira 0-2 Nasarawa United

Enugu: Rangers Int’l 3-0 Ijele FC

Anambra: Solution FC 0-0 Edel FC (Edel win 2-0 on penalties)

Ondo: Sunshine Stars 0-0 Sunshine Stars U19 (Sunshine Stars win 4-3 on penalties)

Ekiti: COPDEM 0-1 NOSMAS FC

Borno: El-Kanemi Warriors 3-0 CP Strikers 

Akwa Ibom: Akwa United 1-0 Eagle Eye FA

Oyo: Crown FC 0-0 Shooting Stars (Shooting Stars win 4-2 on penalties)

Kogi: Kogi Central FC 1-2 FC Bako

Katsina: Katsina United 1-0 Jnr Danburam

Ebonyi: Cynosure FC 0-1 Abakaliki FC

Kebbi: Discovery Talent Academy 1-5 Kebbi United

Bayelsa: Bayelsa United 2-2 Crusaders FC (Crusaders win 4-2 on penalties)

Kaduna: Simon Beb FA 1-1 Green Berets (Green Berets win 4-2 after penalties)

Gombe: Gombe United 3-1 El-Shama FC

Plateau: Mighty Jets Feeders 0-2 Plateau Utd

Cross River: Rovers  FC 1-0 E-World

Delta: Warri Wolves 2-1 De Sapele Lions

Sokoto: Sokoto United 1-2 Sokoto North FC

Taraba: Technobat FC 0-1 Eagle Stars FC

Kano: Kano Pillars 3-2 Barau FC

Yobe: Yobe Desert Stars 10-1 Gujuba Academy

Zamfara: Zamfara United 1-0 Zamfara United Feeders

ALL THE WINNERS (WOMEN’S COMPETITION)

Abia: Ahudiyannem Queens

Adamawa: Adamawa Queens

Akwa Ibom: Ibom Angels 3-0 Jacklyn Angels

Anambra: GP World FA

Bayelsa: Bayelsa Queens 8-0 Crystal Stars

Delta: Delta Queens 2-0 Delta Babes

Ebonyi: First Mahi Babes

Edo: Edo Queens 3-0 Fortress Ladies

Enugu: Queen of Softlanding FC

FCT: Naija Ratels 6-0 N-Youth Ladies FA

Imo: Heartland Queens

Kaduna: Gallant Queens 6-0 Kada Queens

Kogi: Confluence Queens

Kwara: Moje Queens 2-2 Kwara Ladies (Moje Queens win 4-3 on penalties)

Lagos: Unification Ladies 0-1 Dannaz Ladies

Nasarawa: Nasarawa Amazons

Ogun: Remo Stars Ladies 4-0 Castmong Ladies FC

Ondo: Sunshine Queens 3-3 Onimarg FC (Sunshine Queens win 4-2 on penalties)

Osun: Osun Babes FC

Plateau: Plateau United Queens 2-1 Mighty Jets Mata

Rivers: Rivers Angels 10-0 Sparkling Angels

The State preliminaries of this year’s President Federation Cup competition got underway on Monday, with the final matches in the States to be played either 22^nd  February or 23^rd  February, according to the NFF Competitions Department.

 “All final matches in the States are to be played on either Saturday, 22^nd  February or Sunday, 23^rd  February 2025, except in special cases approved by the NFF. Failure to adhere to any of these dates, and without any special approval by the NFF, will result in a fine of N1million for the offending State FA.

Read Also: Dele Alli set to sign for Como

 “At the same time, any Club that fails to honour any match at the State level, after the draw has been released, will pay a fine of N500,000. If any Club should fail to honour a match during the National competition, that Club will be slammed with a fine of N1million,” Ruth David, Director of Competitions, said.

The National Play-Off of this year’s competition has been scheduled for 5th March, with the National Draw one week later, while the Rounds of 64, 32 and 16 are scheduled for 19th March, 2nd April and 16th April 2025 respectively. The quarter-finals have been slated for 3rd and 4th May, with the semi-finals fixed for 17th and 18th May.  

• Teams hold official trainings 

Tickets for  tomorrow’s President Federation Cup men’s and women’s final matches are already being sold for the sums of N200 and N2,000 each. The tickets are being sold online.

While popular side tickets go for N200, the VIP tickets are being sold for N2,000 each.

Tomorrow’s grand finale at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on the Lagos Waterfront will see Naija Ratels FC of Abuja, a club founded only five years ago, take on eight-time champions Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt in the women’s championship match, while the men’s final involves El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri and Abia Warriors of Umuahia.

The women’s final will kick off at 1pm, while the men’s final commences at 4pm.

Sports Development Minister, Senator John Owan Enoh and President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau are among eminent personalities expected at the grand finale.

Read Also: Women’s President Federation Cup: Naija Ratels seek scalp of Rivers Queens

Meanwhile, all four teams taking part in Saturday’s President Federation Cup grand finale will have their official training sessions at the match venue, Mobolaji Johnson Arena, on Friday.

As the ‘away’ teams on the big day, Rivers Angels and Abia Warriors have been handed the privilege to train at the match time. For this reason, Rivers Angels will train from 1pm (which is the time the women’s final will kick off on Saturday), while the ‘home’ team, Naija Ratels, will train from 2pm.

In the men’s draw, ‘away’ team, Abia Warriors, will train from 4pm (which is the time the men’s final will kick off on Saturday), while the ‘home’ team, El-Kanemi Warriors, will train from 5pm.  

The scheduling for training sessions conform to international best practices.

Multi-titlists Rivers Angels have zoomed into the last four of this year’s President Federation Cup in style, after a 5-0 hammering of Osun Babes in Enugu yesterday.

Abuja-based Naija Ratels also reached the semi-finals, following a 5-4 penalty shootout defeat of FC Robo Queens of Lagos at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba. Both teams ended the regulation period with the scoreline at 1-1.

Delta Queens cut Sunshine Queens from Akure to size with a 2-0 defeat at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.

Also in Benin City, Remo Stars Ladies continued their fairy-tale run in this year’s competition with a 3-2 penalty shootout defeat of veteran campaigners Nasarawa Amazons, after both teams were stalemated at 1-1 following regulation time.

Read Also: Russian club unveils Quadri Aruna

Today, the finalists will emerge in the men’s competition, with Abia Warriors up against Kano Pillars at the Lafia City Stadium, and Kebbi United up against El-Kanemi Warriors at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project in Abuja. Both games will commence at 4pm.

Women’s Semi-Final Pairings

Remo Stars Ladies (Ogun) Vs Naija Ratels (FCT)

Delta Queens (Delta) Vs Rivers Angels (Rivers)