El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri sealed their third President Federation Cup trophy—their first silverware in 32 years—courtesy of Nasiru Salihu’s brace against Abia Warriors at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Saturday, June 29.
El-kanemi’s winning intent was clear from the blast of the whistle, as the Borno-based team’s dominance earned them a penalty in the opening fifteen minutes. However, Abia’s goalkeeper Ali Ishaku denied Salihu from the spot to keep the scores even till the half-hour mark.
A few minutes later, an impressive team play from El-kanemi fell to Salihu who smartly beat Ishaku to give the Ali Zubairu-led side the lead into the break.
Abia Warriors head coach Bethel Oji, in a bid to turn the tides in his favor, made four changes to his starting XI ahead of the second half, but it was El-Kanemi who struck again, as Salihu completed his brace in the 68th minute to put the game well out of the reach of the Umuahia giants.
El-Kanemi’s victory earns them a spot in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup as Nigeria’s second representative after Enyimba. The Borno-based club also became the first Nigeria National League (NNL) side to win the Federation Cup since their 2-0 defeat to Dolphins Warrior in 2001.
Earlier in the women’s edition, Rivers Angels extended their dominance with a 1-0 victory over Naija Ratels to win their record-ninth President Federation Cup title courtesy of Blessing Okpe’s penalty.
It was the Port Harcourt-based side’s ninth Federation Cup trophy, as they opened a three-title gap over other clubs in Nigeria.
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