Kwara United end 60-year wait with historic Federation Cup win against giant-killing Abakaliki FC

Kwara United made history on Saturday evening as they clinched their first-ever President Federation Cup title, edging past giant-killing Abakaliki FC 4-3 on penalties after a goalless stalemate at full-time, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Ilorin-based club, widely known as the Afonja Warriors, came into the final as overwhelming favourites, being a top-tier Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side.

Their opponents, Abakaliki FC, had only just been relegated to the third-tier Nationwide League One (NLO). But despite the gulf in pedigree, Abakaliki FC refused to be overawed.

They both mean business. President Federation Cup Men’s Final. Kwara United FC vs Abakaliki FC pic.twitter.com/gK4oGmDvik

— Dr. Victor Ademola (@AdemolaVictorTv) June 28, 2025

In a fiercely contested final that defied pre-match expectations, both sides struggled to break the deadlock across 90 tense minutes. With no extra time in the tournament format, the match was immediately decided via penalties.

Wasiu Alalade scores for kwara United but his goal was ruled offside

Kwara United 0-0 Abakaliki fc https://t.co/bU4I9z1puu pic.twitter.com/NORJO4kxkf

— TRUTH (@emini_truth31) June 28, 2025

Under pressure, Kwara United held their nerve in the shootout, converting four of their five spot-kicks while Abakaliki FC missed twice, sealing a 4-3 win for Tunde Sanni’s men and crowning them champions for the first time.

While Kwara United celebrate a milestone moment in their club’s history, Abakaliki FC’s fairy-tale run will be remembered as one of the most captivating stories in Nigerian football this season.

Nicknamed the “Rice Boys,” the Ebonyi State-owned team stunned fans nationwide with their giant-slaying journey. Starting in the Round of 64, they knocked out Yobe Desert Stars, before eliminating NPFL side Katsina United on penalties. But their most famous moment came in the Round of 16, when they defeated continental giants Enyimba 2-0 in Asaba.

Led by head coach Emmanuel Ozoemena, Abakaliki FC then went on to beat Nasarawa United and Ikorodu City — both via penalties — to become the first team from Ebonyi State to ever reach the Federation Cup final.

Their incredible run drew comparisons to Alyufsalam Rocks of Ilorin, who reached the Challenge Cup final in 1976. But unlike Rocks, Abakaliki FC came agonisingly close to completing the fairytale.

Earlier in the day, Rivers Angels were crowned champions in the women’s category after defeating Nasarawa Amazons on penalties. It marked a record-extending 10th Federation Cup title for the Pride of Rivers.