BY JOHNKENNEDY UZOMA, OWERRI

In their 2-0 defeat of the lesser-known OISA FC Okpala in Sunday’s Imo State final match of the President Federation Cup, former national champions, Heartland FC may have gotten a new lease of life.

It was their first trophy in three years following fluctuating fortunes that best the now rejuvenated side under coach Emmanuel Amuneke.

Escaping relegation at the end of the last minute on technical grounds owing to the ineligibility of Ikenne-based Beyond Limits Academy FC on account of club ownership, Heartland which started the season on a shaky note have navigated their way upstream from the relegation waters.

They now appear looking to reenact their glorious days as Nigeria club winners as they did in 2012 when they beat Lobi Stars in the Federation Cup final.

Their path to glory begins with their emergence as Imo State Cup winners. They did not make any pretence about their intentions as their early strike paid off as Suraji Lawal opened scoring against OISA on Sunday.  He later put in a second goal.

For the final match, former international and coach, Emmanuel Amuneke took the back seat as his assistant Charles Uzor revelled in the victory.

“I’m proud of my players for their hard work and determination. We deserved the win, and it’s a great boost for our confidence.”

The win is expected to boost Heartland FC’s morale ahead of their upcoming league matches against El-Kanemi of Maiduguri.

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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.

According to GTI Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba in Lagos on Monday, he 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.

“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 the 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 in the semi-finals, thus setting the stage for another scintillating PFC national finals,” Ekejiuba said.

“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 33^rd 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:

2025 States PFC Final Results (Men)

• Abia: Enyimba 0-0 (1-3 pen) Ahudiyannem FC
• Adamawa: Adamawa United 2-0 Velvot Academy
• Akwa Ibom: Akwa United 1-0 Eagles Eye FA
• Anambra: Solution FC 0-0 (0-2 pen) Edel FC
• Bauchi: Wikki Tourists FC 1-0 Warinje FC
• Bayelsa: Bayelsa United 2-2 (2-4 pen) Krusaders FC
• Benue: Lobi Stars 2-1 Flight FC
• Borno: El Kanemi Warriors FC 3-0 Police Machine (CP Strikers) FC
• Cross Rivers: Rovers FC 1-0 E World
• Delta: Warri Wolves FC 2-1 Sapele Lions
• Ebonyi: Cynosure FC 0-1 Abakaliki FC
• Edo: Bendel Insurance FC 3-0 Assemblies of God
• Ekiti: COPDEM 0-1 NOSMAS
• Enugu: Rangers FC 3-0 Ijele FC
• FCT: EFCC 0-0 (3-4 pen) FWC FC
• Gombe: Gombe United 3-1 El Sharma FC
• Imo: Heartland FC  2-0 OISA FC Okpala
• Jigawa: Dandidi Babes 2-0 Lautau United
• Kaduna: Simon Beb FA 1-1 (2-4) Green Berets
• Kano: Pillars 3-2 Barau FC
• Katsina: Katsina United 1-0 Jnr. Danburam FC
• Kebbi: Discovery Talent Academy 1-5 Kebbi United
• Kogi: Kogi Central FC 1-2 FC Bako
• Kwara: Kwara United 1-1 (5-4 pen) ABS
• Lagos: Inter Lagos 0-0 (5-4 pen) Ikorodu City 
• Nasarawa: Nasarawa United 2-0 FC Basira
• Niger: Atlantic FA, Suleja 0-0 (6-5 pen) Harmony FA, Bosso
• Ogun: Imperial FC 2-2 (8-7 pen) Beyond Limits
• Ondo: Sunshine Stars 0-0 (4-3 pen) Sunshine Stars U19
• Osun: Osun United 0-1 Igbajo United
• Oyo: Crown FC 0-0 (2-4) Shooting Stars FC
• Plateau: Plateau United 2-0 Mighty Jets International FC
• Rivers: Rivers United 0-0 (4-3 pen) Wilbros FC
• Sokoto: Sokoto United FC 1-2 Sokoto North FC
• Taraba: Technobat FC 0-1 Eagle Stars FC
• Yobe: Yobe Desert Stars 10-1 Gujba Academy
• Zamfara: Zamfara United 1-0 Zamfara Feeders FC

2025 States PFC Final Results (Women)

1. Akwa Ibom: Ibom Angels 3-0 Jacklyn Angels
2. Bayelsa: Bayelsa Queens 8-0 Crystal Stars FC
3. Delta: Delta Queens FC 2-0 Delta Babes
4. Edo: Edo Queens 3-0 Fortress Ladies
5. FCT: Naija Ratels 6-0 N-Youth Ladies FA
6. Kaduna: Gallant Queens 6-0 Kada Queens FC
7. Kwara: Moje Queens 2-2 (4-3 pen) Kwara Ladies
8. Lagos: Unification FC Ladies 0-1 Dannaz Ladies FC
9. Ogun:  Remo Stars Ladies 4-0 Castmong Ladies FC
10. Ondo: Sunshine Queens 3-3 (4-2 pen) Onimarg FC
11. Plateau: Plateau United Queens 2-1 Mighty Jets Mata
12. Rivers: Rivers Angels 10-0 Sporting Angels

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What a splendid season it has been for El-Kanemi Warriors! First they got promoted into the Nigeria Premier League. They are the winners of the President Federation Cup, following up earlier victories of 1991 and 1992 and then cap it up with a ticket to play at the CAF Confederation Cup next season.  

 The 2-0 win over Abia Warriors tells just a bit of their dominance. They were undoubtedly the better side as they fired full cylinder from the beginning of their encounter with Abia Warriors who were contended to merely chasing loose balls.

  The El kanemi Warriors were blazing from beginning to the end and became the first team to lift the national cup at the competition’s place of birth since the then WNDC Shooting Stars won on 23 October 1971 – the last concluded Nigeria FA Cup at Onikan.

 Nimble-footed midfielder Nasiru Salihu, who would be crowned most valuable player of the competition, dazzled in the middle of the park and scored both goals to leave the Abia Warriors to look to fight another day.  

Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt won their ninth title and El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri won their third title as Nigeria’s National Cup (now known as President Federation Cup) grand finale took place at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos on Saturday.

In the women’s final, an enthralling encounter between the Angels from Garden City and Naija Ratels from the Federal Capital, and which kicked off at 1pm beside the Lagos Waterfront, was decided by a goal scored from the penalty spot by Blessing Okpe right before the half-time whistle.

Coach Whyte Ogbonda, who lifted his first trophy as head coach, praised his players for their dedication, resilience and hard work. “This victory is a testament to the team’s resilience and determination. We are thrilled to be champions of the President Federation Cup.”

Naija Ratels’ head coach, Bankole Olowookere, commended his young squad for their progress to the final. “Although we did not get the desired result, I am proud of my players for their fighting spirit. We will learn from this experience and come back stronger.”

AWARDS

WOMEN’S COMPETITION

Winner: Rivers Angels (N25million)

Runner-Up: Naija Ratels (N10million)

MVP: Blessing Okpe (Rivers Angels FC)

Top Scorer: Agama Ziperefeghe (Naija Ratels FC)

Best Goalkeeper: Agatha Thompson (Rivers Angels FC)

MEN’S COMPETITION

Winner: El-Kanemi Warriors (N50million)

Runner-Up: Abia Warriors (N20million)

MVP: Nasiru Salihu (El-Kanemi Warriors FC)

Top Scorer: Emmanuel Ogbole (Kwara United FC)

Best Goalkeeper: Ali Ishaku (Abia Warriors FC)