El Kanemi Warriors win FA Cup a record three times

Newly promoted NPFL side, El Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri Saturday at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena ( Onikan) won the President Federation Cup a record three times.
They did this in a grand style with Nasiru Salihu scoring a brace to condemn NPFL side, Abia Warriors to a 0-2 defeat in a match tagged the ‘Battle of the Warriors’.

Having won the title back- to- back in 1991 and 1992 respectively, the team left no one in doubt about their ability to win the title for the third time as they took the game to their opponents which resulted in a penalty after 14 minutes of play.

Although, Nasiru Salihu lost the resultant spot kick but he rose to the occasion after 31 minutes of play to give the boys from Maiduguri a one nil lead in the first half.

In the beginning of the second half, El Kanemi continued their dominance of the game to the admiration of fans at the Onikan Water front but it was not untill the 65th minute of play that the champions got their second goal to ensure the trophy goes to Maiduguri.

Speaking on their victory, Technical Adviser of El Kanemi, Kabir Zuberu said he cannot express his joy that the team is winning the trophy after 32 years ascribing the victory to the talented young players he recruited.

” I must have to say that am overjoyed leading the team to victory after more than three decades and I give glory to God for this victory.

” When you look at my players, you’ll discover that they’re young and hungry for action which enabled us to come out victorious.

Captain of the team, Abena George who incidentally is the goalkeeper of the side described it as a dream come through even as he dedicated it to his family, team mates and Borno State.

In his own remarks, Coach of Abia Warriors, Bethel Orji blamed fatigue for his side’s loss noting that in football a winner must emerge

With this victory, El Kanemi will be joining Enyimba FC of Aba as the country’s representative in next year’s CAF Confederation Cup.

For emerging champions, El Kanemi got N50 million while Abia Warriors got N20 million

Meanwhile, Rivers Angels ended their six years trophy drought by defeating
Naija Ratels 1-0 on Saturday at the same venue to win their ninth title having last won the Female Federation Cup in 2018.

The lone goal came from Blessing Okpe, who calmly converted a penalty awarded in stoppage time of the first half.

The spot-kick was given after Naija Ratels defender Adebayo Jumai handled the ball inside the box. Okpe’s clinical strike beat goalkeeper Faith Omilani and proved the winner.

Rivers Angels went home with N25 million for emerging winners while Naija Ratels got N10 million