All roads lead to Lagos, the ever bustling commercial centre of Nigeria, as the final of this year?s Federation Cup competition in the men and women?s categories will be held today at the magnificent Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena.

After a gruelling round of matches in the single knockout competition, which kicked off February, four clubs ? Kwara United, Abakaliki FC, Nasarawa Amazons and Rivers Angels are left to fight for the coveted trophies.

In the men?s final, Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side Kwara United are brimming with confidence as they go up against giant-killers Abakaliki FC in what promises to be a tricky affair for both teams.

The illustrious Rivers Angels will contest the women?s final with the emerging powerhouse in Nigerian women football, Nasarawa Amazons.

Unlike the men?s finalists who are reaching the final for the first time since the inception of the tournament in 1942, Rivers Angels and Nasarawa Amazons have tasted victory in the oldest club competition in Nigeria.

Known for its unpredictability, where underdogs often rise to topple giants, the 2025 President Federation Cup has been no exception, producing one of the most dramatic and memorable editions in recent memory.

Without a doubt, one of the standout stories this year has been the incredible run of hitherto unknown Abakaliki FC. Competing in the Nigeria National League (NNL), where they were recently relegated to the Nationwide League One (NLO), the Ebonyi State owned club stunned the football community with their giant-killing feats.

Their journey began in the Round of 64 with a victory over Yobe Desert Stars, followed by a dramatic penalty shootout win against NPFL side Katsina United in the Round of 32.

In what was perhaps the tournament?s biggest upset, Abakaliki FC shocked two-time CAF Champions League winners Enyimba FC 2-0 in the Round of 16 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba. Goals from Chukwudi Okoro and Daniel Eni secured a famous win.

Head coach Emmanuel Ozoemena reflected on the win, saying, ?We came with nothing to lose, but our players wrote their own story today.? The ?Rice boys? as Abakaliki FC are called went on to defeat Nasarawa United in another penalty shootout in the quarterfinals, and then edged out Ikorodu City via penalties in the semifinals to book their place in the final. This also marks the first time a team from Ebonyi State, created in 1996, will feature in the Federation Cup final.

Their journey echoes the remarkable story of Alyufsalam Rocks of Ilorin, who reached the final of the then Challenge Cup in 1976 before falling to Rangers International. This year, Abakaliki FC seem determined to finish what Rocks started nearly five decades ago.

Their opponents, Kwara United, have also enjoyed an impressive run. Coached by Tunde Sanni, the ?Afonja Warriors? dismissed

Cynosure FC in the Round of 64 and continued to build on that strong momentum.

The Warriors from Ilorin then sent packing Gombe United 1-0 in the Round of 32, rolled over minnows Solution FC 3-0 in the Round of 16, edged now relegated Akwa United 3-2 on penalties in the quarter-finals before the 1-0 semi-final victory over one of Nigeria?s most decorated clubs Enugu Rangers to set up today?s final clash with Abakaliki FC.Other clubs that emerged as giant-killers

Apart from Abakaliki FC, other clubs also contributed to the tournament?s narrative of upsets. Beyond Limits, the Remo Stars academy side, delivered a major blow by defeating NPFL heavyweights Rivers United 2-1 in the Round of 32, with Akinocho Merveille scoring both goals. Although they were later ousted by Ikorodu City in the Round of 16, their performance was a statement of intent from a young, fearless side.

Another remarkable story came from Solution FC, an emerging team from Anambra State who knocked out former NPFL champions Lobi Stars 2-1 in the Round of 32, with a late winner from Ahamefuna Chizoba sealing the result. Although their journey ended in the next round following a 0-3 loss to Kwara United, they had already left their mark on the competition.

Meanwhile, non-league outfit Ahudiya Nnem FC created headlines in the Abia State Federation Cup by defeating NPFL side Abia Warriors. Their triumph underscored the depth of talent in Nigeria?s grassroots football and the potential for small teams to achieve big feats.How underdogs triumphed in recent final matches

In 2021, Bayelsa United, then an NNL side, lifted the trophy after knocking out multiple top-flight clubs like Rivers United and Kwara United before their shocking 3-2 victory on penalties over NPFL side, Nasarawa United in the final. The victory also earned them a ticket to the CAF Confederation Cup.

After the inconclusive 2022 edition, Bendel Insurance who had just picked the ticket to return to the NPFL from NNL shocked Enugu Rangers 1-0 in the final played at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.

In a similar way, El-Kanemi Warriors, who had just picked their NPFL ticket, recorded an emphatic 2-0 victory over NPFL side, Abia Warriors in the 2024 edition at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex Lagos.

These upsets recorded by Bayelsa United, Bendel Insurance and El-Kanemi even when they went into the final as lower division clubs against more endowed opponents should inspire Abakaliki FC to go for Kwara United?s jugular in today?s final showdown.

Kwara United will be wary of their determined opponents. Abakaliki FC as the ?Rice boys? from Ebonyi have indeed defied expectations at every turn and now stand one step away from completing one of the greatest upsets in Nigerian football history.

However, the ?Afonja Warriors? are also bubbling with confidence as the

whole state has risen behind them. Their impressive run has since attracted the attention of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq; the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari and indeed every well-meaning indigene of the state.

While Kwara United have goal-machine Wasiu Alalade, seasoned goalkeeper Suraju Aiyeleso, Isa Gatta, Adamu Abubakar and Wasiu Jimoh to drive them forward, Abakaliki FC will pin their hopes on goalkeeper Pascal Elochukwu, Cyril Timothy, Chisom Ogbu, Ejike Nwafor, Collins Kalu and Chukwudi Okoro.

Apart from the glittering trophy, the winner of the final will join Abia Warriors to represent Nigeria in next year?s CAF Confederation Cup

Angels battle Amazons in women?s final

Meanwhile, as it has been the tradition, the women?s final between Rivers Angels and Nasarawa Amazons will serve as a curtain raiser.

The Port Harcourt-based Angels, who are chasing their 10th title, were stretched in last year?s final at the same venue but managed to edge Naija Ratels FC of Abuja 1-0.

That victory helped erase the memory of their painful 2023 loss to arch-rivals Bayelsa Queens, which was settled by penalties at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.

Another painful chapter in their storied history came six years ago, when they lost to Nasarawa Amazons at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna ? one of the rare occasions the ?Jewels of Rivers? finished a season without lifting the Nigeria FA Cup.

Now, under the guidance of Coach Tosan Blankson, Rivers Angels have been in fine form throughout the tournament. They dismantled Moje Queens of Ilorin 7-0, swept aside First Mahi Babes of Abakaliki 5-0, edged Remo Stars Ladies 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the quarterfinals, and narrowly beat Ibom Angels 1-0 in a tense semifinal encounter.

Nasarawa Amazons have been equally dominant. The Lafia-based side crushed Kwara Ladies 6-0 in the Round of 32, edged 2023 champions Bayelsa Queens 2-1 in the Round of 16, routed Sunshine Queens 4-0 in the quarterfinals, and booked their place in the final with a 2-0 win over Edo Queens.

Therefore, all is now set for a double header in Lagos as the curtain falls on the 2025 edition of the President Federation Cup. (Weekend Trust, but headline rejigged)

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