Kwara United clinch first President Federation Cup
Kwara United were crowned the 2024/25 President Federation Cup champions following a 4-3 penalty shootout victory over Abakaliki FC on Saturday.
The match had ended goalless at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos before Kwara United, Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club, triumphed in the penalty shootout lottery against their Nigeria National League (NNL) opponents.
It is the first time Kwara United would win the Federation Cup in the club’s history.
The Ilorin-based club is also the 33rd club to claim the domestic cup honour.
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Abakaliki FC, giant-killers who dumped illustrious NPFL powerhouses Enyimba, Katsina United, Nasarawa, and recently-promoted Ikorodu City on their way to the final, could not complete the job in Lagos as they failed to take their early chances.
Kwara United improved later in the game but the Afonja Warriors also failed to make their opportunities count, and both sides had to settle for penalty shoot-out, where Kwara United recovered from missing the first kick to score the next four and claim the Federation Cup.
Victory for the Tunde Sanni-led side means Kwara United will represent Nigeria in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup.
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In the women’s final, Rivers Angels came from two goals down to draw Nasarawa Amazons 2-2 in regular time, before triumphing 4-2 on penalties to retain their Federation Cup crown, securing the club’s 10th title in the competition.
