Kwara United head coach Tunde Sanni says his team’s historic victory in the 2025 President Federation Cup final was the result of decades of hard work and determination, insisting they “needed it more” than their opponents Abakaliki FC.
The Ilorin-based club lifted their first-ever national trophy on Saturday after defeating Abakaliki FC 4–3 on penalties at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos. The match had ended goalless after 90 minutes of intense action, sending the final straight into a dramatic shootout.
With the win, Kwara United not only secured silverware but also claimed a ticket to next season’s CAF Confederation Cup — their reward for conquering Nigeria’s oldest football competition.
Speaking after the game, Sanni praised Abakaliki FC for their remarkable journey to the final, which included stunning nine-time champions Enyimba in the round of 16, followed by wins over top-tier sides Nasarawa United and Ikorodu City.
“We didn’t underrate them, but honestly, we didn’t know they were this good,” Sanni admitted. “It’s surprising that such a team is facing relegation. But we also believed in ourselves. We’ve waited over 40 years for a moment like this, and we thank God we finally have it.”
Despite the loss, Abakaliki FC captain Chisom Ogbu praised his team’s performance, expressing pride in their effort and progress as a relatively new club.
“The result didn’t go our way, but I’m proud of what we’ve achieved,” Ogbu said. “This team is just seven months old, and yet we reached the final of a national competition. We gave it everything.”
In a concerning postscript to the final, the Ebonyi-based team was involved in a road accident while returning home on Sunday. The incident occurred along the Benin-Ore expressway in Ondo State when the team’s officials’ bus reportedly suffered brake failure and collided with a moving truck. No fatalities were reported, but the incident raised fresh concerns over team transportation safety in Nigerian football.
