The Nigeria Football Federation NFF has moved the grand finale of the President Federation Cup from the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja to the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos.
Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory would have staged the final of the country’s most prestigious cup competition for the first time ever on the 29th of June but the NFF and partners, GTI announced on Sunday that they have opted for the venue in Lagos Island, which hosted the final of the tournament consecutively from1945 to 1972.
First known as Association Ground, then as King George the 5th and later as Lagos City Ground, the venue became famous as Onikan Stadium after it was rebuilt in the 1980s.
It was renamed the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in 2021.
The last grand finale to take place at the famous venue was also a memorable one.
In 1972, current holders, Bendel Insurance of Benin led Mighty Jets of Jos 2-0 before two late goals by the late Sam Garba Okoye tied the game, and it had to be replayed two days later at the Liberty Stadium now known as the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan which Insurance won.
Apart from the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on the waterfront, the City of Lagos has hosted several other finals of the competition.
The National Stadium, Surulere built for the 2nd All-Africa Games that Nigeria hosted in 1973, staged the grand finale from 1974 to 1987, as well as the 1990, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 finals.
The Teslim Balogun Stadium which is adjacent to the National Stadium in Surulere, hosted the finale in 2007 and 2009, and then consecutively from 2011 to 2016.
The Agege City Stadium hosted the 2017 grand finale.
The 2024 grand finale will see Rivers Angels confront Naija Ratels in the women’s final.
Rivers Angels beat Delta Queens 2-1 at the Awka City Stadium in Uyo on Sunday while Naija Ratels edged newcomers Remo Stars Ladies 7-6 on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
Abia Warriors will take on El-Kanemi Warriors in the men’s final.