The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that the final matches of this year’s President Federation Cup will be staged across 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory this weekend, with only Lagos State granted an exemption.

According to the football body, all state finals are scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 25 or Sunday, April 26, in line with earlier directives issued to participating states and organising committees.

Lagos State was excused after making a formal request to the NFF, citing the unavailability of its proposed venue, which is set to host an official function by the state government.

NFF Director of Competitions, Ruth David, reiterated the federation’s stance on strict compliance, warning that any state—apart from Lagos—that fails to stage its final this weekend will face sanctions.

“Failure of any state to play its final match this weekend will attract a fine of N1,000,000,” she stated.

The federation added that the conclusion of state finals will pave the way for the National Play-off, after which the draw for the national phase of the competition will be conducted.

The President Federation Cup, Nigeria’s oldest domestic knockout competition, continues to serve as a key platform for grassroots teams to compete for national recognition and continental qualification opportunities.

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Remo Stars FC have suffered a major setback in their quest for continental football after crashing out of the State FA Cup, losing in the semi-final to their feeder team, Beyond Limits FA, in Ikenne on Wednesday.

The shock defeat effectively ends Remo Stars’ hopes of qualifying for next season’s CAF Confederation Cup through the Federation Cup route, leaving the club missing out on continental football for the first time in five years.

The match, played at the club’s home base in Ikenne, produced an unusual scenario in which the senior side fell to their own academy outfit, underlining both the growing strength of Beyond Limits FA and the unexpected nature of the result.

For Remo Stars, the timing could hardly be worse. With their current standing in the Nigeria Premier Football League table leaving them outside the automatic continental qualification places, the Federation Cup had represented their most realistic pathway back to African competition.

That door has now been firmly shut.

The result also raises questions about the club’s campaign, as a team that has consistently been among Nigeria’s emerging forces now faces a rare season without international exposure.

Beyond Limits FA, meanwhile, continues their fairytale run in the competition, demonstrating the depth of talent within the Remo Stars football structure and reinforcing the growing reputation of privately driven football development models in Nigeria.

For Remo Stars, attention will now shift back to their league campaign, where they must finish strongly to salvage pride in what is turning into a disappointing end to the season.

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Beyond Limits FA will carry the branding of ValueJet Airlines into the national stage of the Federation Cup, marking a significant milestone for the fast-rising academy side and its commercial backing.

The Ikenne-based team, which has been one of the standout performers in youth football in Nigeria, secured its place in the national rounds after an impressive run that included a high-profile victory over their parent club, Remo Stars FC.

Beyond Limit secured a 4-2 penalty shootout win after a 1-1 draw.

Now, Beyond Limits FA will not only be chasing silverware but also showcasing a growing model of synergy between grassroots football development and corporate sponsorship in Nigeria.

The presence of ValueJet Airlines on the team’s kit underscores the increasing confidence of corporate Nigeria in youth-driven football projects. For Beyond Limits FA, the partnership represents more than branding—it is a statement of ambition.

Club officials believe the exposure provided by the Federation Cup’s national stage offers an ideal platform to highlight both emerging talent and the viability of structured academy systems in Nigerian football.

Beyond Limits FA’s journey has been one of steady growth, built on a philosophy of player development and competitive exposure. Their shock victory over Remo Stars in the State FA Cup semi-final sent a strong signal about the depth of talent within the system.

That result, which effectively ended Remo Stars’ continental hopes, also thrust the academy side into the national conversation.

Now competing among Nigeria’s top teams in the Federation Cup, Beyond Limits FA are aiming to extend their fairytale run while gaining invaluable experience for their young squad.

The involvement of ValueJet Airlines highlights a broader shift in Nigerian football, where private investment is increasingly supporting structured development pathways.

Observers say such partnerships are crucial for sustaining grassroots programmes, improving player welfare, and creating a pipeline of talent capable of competing at higher levels.

As the Federation Cup progresses, Beyond Limits FA will be looking to prove that their journey is no fluke. With youthful energy, growing confidence, and corporate backing, they represent a new wave of Nigerian football—one that blends development, professionalism, and ambition.

For ValueJet Airlines, the association offers national visibility. For Beyond Limits FA, it is a chance to fly even higher.

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