Newly promoted Nigeria Premier Football League side, El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri stunned favourites Abia Warriors 2-0 to win the President Federation Cup at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos on Saturday.
Midfielder Nasiru Salihu, who emerged most valuable player of the competition, was exceptional for El Kanemi Warriors and got both goals.
The player had a penalty saved in the 9th minute, before scoring the first goal in the 62nd and completing his brace in the 75th minute.
Victory earned El-Kanemi Warriors, who won the trophy in 1991 and 1992, 50 million Naira prize money and a ticket to represent Nigeria in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup, alongside Enyimba International who finished third in the 2023/2024 NPFL season.
Sports Development Minister, Senator John Owan Enoh, the Acting Governor of Borno State, His Excellency, Umar Usman and NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau, were among the dignitaries at the President Federation Cup final.
In the women’s category, Rivers Angels defeated Naija Ratels 1-0 to emerge champions.
The latest triumph is a record-extending ninth title for the Port Harcourt-based side, ending a six-year drought.
Blessing Okpe, the competition’s most valuable player, scored the only goal late in the game from the penalty spot to hand Rivers Angels the 25 million Naira prize money