The concluding match of this year’s Federation Cup, featuring first-time participants Abakaliki FC and Kwara United, is scheduled to take place on June 28 at the impressive Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena in Lagos.
This information was disclosed exclusively to Daily Trust by a senior official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) under the condition of anonymity.
According to our source, the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu, Remo Stars Sports Complex, and Bwari Township Stadium were all considered before the NFF ultimately chose the iconic venue in Lagos.
“The final of the 2025 edition of the Federation Cup will be held at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena in Lagos on Saturday, June 28.
“Other venues such as Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Remo Stars Stadium, and the renovated Bwari Township Stadium in Abuja were evaluated. Then NFF opted to host the final at its traditional home ground.
“Thus, after successfully hosting the previous edition, Mobolaji Johnson Stadium will once again have the privilege of hosting this year’s final,” he stated.
It is worth noting that the newly promoted El-kanemi Warriors from Maiduguri surprised the favourites, Abia Warriors, with a 2-0 victory in the 2024 final, securing their third title.
Established in 1930, the 10,000-capacity Onikan Stadium was remodelled and renamed Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena in 2019 by the Lagos State government.
Also see: Lenglet, FC Barcelona Part Ways After Seven Years
Other venues such as the National Stadium in Surulere, Teslim Balogun Stadium, and Agege Township Stadium, all situated in Lagos, have hosted the most Federation Cup matches since the competition. Originally known as the Governors Cup, Nigeria Challenge Cup, Coca-Cola FA Cup, Nigeria Federation Cup, Aiteo Federation Cup, and now the President’s Federation Cup.
2025 Federation Cup finalists
The two teams competing in the final, Abakaliki FC and Kwara United, will be making their first appearance in the final since the competition’s inception in 1942.
While Abakaliki FC are newcomers who have impressively established themselves as formidable opponents, Kwara United are not new to the scene but have not reached the final until now.
The report from AllAfrica claimed that it will indeed be a historic moment for the eventual winner of the oldest inter-club football competition in Nigeria.
Statistics show that to reach the final, Kwara United piped six-time champions Enugu Rangers 1-0 while Abakaliki FC shocked favourites Ikorodu City 5-4 on penalties in the other semi-final match.
