FEDERATION CUP
Nigeria’s national cup returns to birthplace as Mobolaji Johnson Arena hosts 2025 President Federation Cup final
Where the competition began 80 years ago as the Governor’s Cup will again be the theatre of action as the Onikan waterfront arena will again host the President Federation Cup final.
Last year’s final was also held at the now vastly upgraded arena, which before then, last hosted the national competition in 1972.
Now renamed Mobolaji Johnson Arena from the previous names of Association Ground, King George V Stadium, Lagos City Stadium, and lately Onikan Stadium, the waterfront stadium will host the encounter of Kwara United and Abakaliki FC.
The duel, which recalls a similar Middlebelt versus East Central encounter of 1976, will be played on June 28. In 1976, it was the Alyufsalam Rocks of Kwara versus Enugu Rangers of the old Anambra State, which incorporated the present-day Ebonyi State, where Abakaliki FC is based. At the time, Enugu Rangers comprehensively won against Alyufsalam Rocks, who had nine Ghanaians in their starting line-up.
The match was at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos. This time, the battleground has shifted to Onikan. Will the narratives change?
The compact but dainty facility by the waterfront hosted last year’s grand finale, in which El-Kanemi Warriors defeated Abia Warriors to winners of the men’s competition, while Rivers Angels edged Naija Ratels 1-0 in the women’s version.
Lagos State has hosted a total of 60 final matches of Nigeria’s oldest Cup competition.
Of the 60 Final matches, 27 were staged at the present waterfront ground between 1945 and 1972. The 1972 final match had to be replayed and moved for the first time, out of Lagos to Ibadan.
With no competition in 1973, the final returned to Lagos the following year, but to a new arena, the National Stadium, Surulere.
The National Stadium, Surulere hosted a total of 22 Final matches, with the last Final there in 2002, when Julius Berger defeated Yobe Desert Stars 3-0 to emerge champions.
Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos hosted eight Final matches (2007 & 2009, and 2011-2016).
The final has also taken place previously at the Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi (1989 and 1994), Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi (1992 and 2008), Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna (1993, 1997, 2003 and 2019), Rancher Bees Stadium, Kaduna (1998), Sam Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City (2004 and 2021), Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt (2005), MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta (2006), Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano (2010), Agege City Stadium (2017) and the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba (2018 and 2023).
This year’s grand finale will see surprise packets Abakaliki FC of Ebonyi taking on Kwara United FC of Ilorin in the men’s final, while Cup holders Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt will tackle Nasarawa Amazons of Lafia in a much-anticipated women’s final.
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The battle for a place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 President Federation Cup women’s competition will take centre stage on Monday as eight thrilling Round of 16 fixtures are set to be played across different centres in the country.
Defending champions Rivers Angels will face Abia Angels in one of the standout fixtures billed for the Eket Township Stadium in Akwa Ibom State, with kick-off scheduled for 4 pm.
In Akure, Lagos-based FC Robo Queens will square up against Remo Stars Ladies in a South-West derby expected to produce fireworks, while Ahudiyannem Queens confront Heartland Queens in Enugu in another early kick-off fixture slated for 1 pm.
Bayelsa Queens, one of the pre-tournament favourites, will take on Ibom Angels in Awka, as Plateau United Queens tackle Sunshine Queens in Abuja in matches expected to test the ambitions of the title contenders.
Confluence Queens will also battle Esthington FC in Enugu, while the Oriental derby between Delta Queens and Edo Queens in Awka is expected to headline the day’s fixtures because of the long-standing rivalry between both sides.
In Kaduna, Naija Ratels will slug it out with Nasarawa Amazons in what promises to be another keenly contested encounter between two top women’s football sides.
With places in the last eight at stake, fans are expected to witness intense competition as clubs continue their quest for national silverware in Nigeria’s oldest domestic cup competition.
All matches will be decided on Monday, June 2, across the designated venues.
President Federation Cup: Women’s Round of 16 Fixtures
Rivers Angels Vs Abia Angels – Eket, Akwa Ibom (02/06/26): 4 pm
FC Robo Queens Vs Remo Stars Ladies – Akure (02/06/26): 1 pm
Ahudiyannem Queens Vs Heartland Queens – Enugu (02/06/26): 1 pm
Ibom Angels Vs Bayelsa Queens – Awka (02/06/26): 1 pm
Plateau United Queens Vs Sunshine Queens – Abuja (02/06/26): 4 pm
Confluence Queens Vs Esthington FC – Enugu (02/06/26): 4 pm
Delta Queens Vs Edo Queens – Awka (02/06/26): 4 pm
Naija Ratels Vs Nasarawa Amazons – Kaduna (02/06/26): 4 pm
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By Kunle Solaja.
The race for domestic football supremacy in Nigeria is set to continue in the President’s Federation Cup as the Round of 32 fixtures throw up several high-profile clashes, including a heavyweight showdown between Rangers International F.C. and Rivers United F.C.
Fresh from their fierce battle for honours in the just-concluded Nigeria Premier Football League season, the two sides will meet again at the Uyo Township Stadium on June 1 in what is widely expected to be the star fixture of the round.
The clash rekindles the rivalry between the league champions and runners-up, with both clubs eager to continue their pursuit of silverware in Nigeria’s oldest football competition.
Another intriguing fixture will see relegated sides Wikki Tourists F.C. and Bayelsa United F.C. battle in Lafia in a contest between two teams seeking redemption after disappointing league campaigns.
Defending champions Kwara United F.C. begin the defence of their title against Sokoto United F.C. at the Area 3 Stadium in Abuja.
Former champions Bendel Insurance F.C. will take on Crown F.C. in Lagos, while Enyimba International F.C. will face Gombe United F.C. in Makurdi.
Other notable fixtures include El-Kanemi Warriors F.C. against Akwa United F.C. in Abuja, and Shooting Stars Sports Club taking on Kada City F.C. in Minna.
The full Round of 32 fixtures are scheduled for June 1 across various centres in the country.
Fixtures:
- Kwara United F.C. vs Sokoto United F.C. – Abuja Area 3
- Sapele Lions vs Adamawa United F.C. – Makurdi
- Bendel Insurance F.C. vs Crown F.C. – Lagos
- El-Kanemi Warriors F.C. vs Akwa United F.C. – Abuja FIFA Goal Project
- Shooting Stars Sports Club vs Kada City F.C. – Minna
- Wikki Tourists F.C. vs Bayelsa United F.C. – Lafia
- Bida Lions vs Warri Wolves F.C. – Osogbo
- Flight FC vs Mighty Jets F.C. – Lafia
- Rivers United F.C. vs Rangers International F.C. – Uyo Township Stadium
- Ejigbo City vs Nasarawa United F.C. – Benin City
- Kogi United vs Plateau United F.C. – Lafia
- Ingas FC vs FC Basira – Anyigba
- Ikorodu City F.C. vs Jigawa Golden Stars – Anyigba
- Enyimba International F.C. vs Gombe United F.C. – Makurdi
- Sunshine Stars U-19 vs Warinje FC – Abuja Area 3
- Barau FC vs Abakaliki F.C. – Abuja Bwari.
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Former champions Enyimba F.C., Rangers International F.C., Rivers United F.C. and Bendel Insurance F.C. safely progressed to the next round of the President Federation Cup on Tuesday, but the opening round of fixtures also produced a major upset as Nigeria Premier Football League side Katsina United F.C. crashed out to non-league side Sapele Lions after a dramatic penalty shootout.
The Round of 64 fixtures played across different centres in the country delivered the usual mixture of dominance, tension and surprise associated with Nigeria’s oldest domestic cup competition.
One of the most convincing performances came from Enyimba, who brushed aside El Sharma FC 4-0 to underline their ambition of reclaiming the prestigious trophy. Rivers United were equally comfortable in a 2-0 victory over G12 FC, while Ikorodu City produced the biggest win of the day with a commanding 4-0 demolition of GAA Akanbi FC.
Defending champions Kwara United F.C. were pushed to the limit by Sporting Supreme before eventually surviving 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation time.
There was also relief for Nasarawa United F.C., who defeated Westgate FC 3-1 in Anyigba, while Plateau United edged Ahudiannem FC 2-1 in a difficult encounter.
However, the biggest shock of the day came in Katsina where Katsina United squandered a 2-2 draw against Sapele Lions before collapsing 3-1 in the penalty shootout to suffer an embarrassing early exit.
In Maiduguri, El-Kanemi Warriors secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Krusader FC, while Bendel Insurance overcame Katsina United Junior 2-1 in another tightly contested fixture.
Bayelsa United defeated OISA FC 2-0, and Akwa United cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Wilbros FC.
Rangers International also avoided a potential upset after grinding out a hard-fought 1-0 win over Godswill Akpabio FC, while Wikki Tourists defeated Jigawa Golden Stars 2-0 in an all-Northern affair.
One of the surprise results involving top-flight opposition saw Sunshine Stars U19 stun Niger Tornadoes F.C. 2-1, adding further evidence that this year’s competition may again favour giant-killing performances from lower-tier teams.
Elsewhere, Adamawa United survived a major scare before defeating Agbana Wonderful FA 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, while Ingas FC edged Edel FC 1-0.
The competition continues on Wednesday with several Nigeria Premier Football League clubs entering action, including Shooting Stars S.C., who will face Kebbi United in Abuja, and Warri Wolves F.C., who take on Stormers FC in Benin City.
Other fixtures scheduled for Wednesday include Kogi United against Lobi Stars in Abuja, Beyond Limits versus Bida Lions in Ilorin, Mighty Jets against Adanimogo FC in Minna, and Kanta Warriors against FC Basira.
The remaining Round of 64 fixture between ABU DLC and Abakaliki FC is scheduled for Thursday in Makurdi.
The President Federation Cup remains Nigeria’s most unpredictable domestic football competition, with lower-division sides traditionally using the tournament to challenge the dominance of elite clubs and create some of the country’s most memorable football upsets.
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