El-Kanemi Warriors and Nasarawa Amazons Lift President Federation Cup Titles

Nasarawa Amazons and El-Kanemi Warriors were crowned champions of the 2026 President Federation Cup after emerging victorious in the women’s and men’s finals respectively at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba on Saturday.

Both champions overcame determined challenges from debut finalists, with Heartland Queens and Ikorodu City producing spirited performances before falling to more experienced opponents in the season-ending competition.

In the women’s final, Heartland Queens, who reached the final after eliminating FC Robo Queens in the semi-finals, took the lead early in the second half through Chizoba Johnson after a goalless opening 45 minutes.

Nasarawa Amazons responded later in the contest as Judith Adaobi scored the equaliser to force the match into a penalty shootout. The shootout extended into sudden death before the Amazons secured a dramatic 6-5 victory to lift the trophy.

The triumph marked another major achievement for the Lafia-based club, whose resilience throughout the final ensured they claimed one of Nigerian women’s football’s most prestigious domestic honours.

In the men’s final, El-Kanemi Warriors secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Ikorodu City to win the title. Muktari Ismail converted a first-half penalty that ultimately proved decisive, while the Maiduguri club produced a disciplined defensive display to withstand sustained pressure from the debut finalists during the second half.

The victory also earned El-Kanemi Warriors qualification for next season’s CAF Confederation Cup, where they will represent Nigeria alongside Shooting Stars, who qualified after finishing third in the Nigeria Premier Football League.

Individual honours were also presented following the conclusion of the competition. Nasarawa Amazons midfielder Ayatsea Hembafan was named the Most Valuable Player of the women’s tournament, while her teammate Udoka Unachukwu received the Best Goalkeeper award. Rivers Angels forward Peace Effiong finished as the competition’s top scorer with four goals.

In the men’s competition, El-Kanemi Warriors’ Muktari Ismail was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after his match-winning performance in the final. Wikki Tourists striker Imam Bala Magaji claimed the top scorer award with six goals, while El-Kanemi Warriors goalkeeper Temitope Suleiman was recognised as the tournament’s Best Goalkeeper.