Resurgent El-Kanemi Warriors say they are primed to crown their 2023/24 season with success in the President Federation Cup final in which they face newcomers in the title race, Abia Warriors, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos, today.
This Abia Warriors’ first final in the history of the competition, but El-Kanemi are two-time winners of the most glamorous competition in Nigerian football.
Both teams arrived in Lagos on Tuesday and have been putting finishing touched to their strategies for victory at various locations in the country’s commercial capital.
Looking forward to returning to the continent for the first time since civilian rule returned to Nigeria in 1999, EL-Kanemi’s Technical Adviser, Aliyu Zubairu, said his team has worked hard to be in the final, adding that such hard work and determination will see the Maiduguri landlords pick up their third Nigeria Cup title in Lagos on today.
“Hard work has been our mainstay. Everyone works for the other, including the players on the pitch. It was a tough league season, and our real objective at the beginning of the season was to gain promotion back to the NPFL.
“However, after the Round of 16, we suddenly realized that with more hard work, we could go all the way to the final.
“I commend the players for not only ensuring promotion back to the top flight, but also reaching the President Federation Cup final. Yet, it is not over until it is over. We are here and we are determined to wrest the title. We have had some days to rest and we are going to work hard to deliver the trophy to our number one supporter, Governor Babagana Umaru Zulum.”
Founded in the late mid-1980s, by the football-passionate then military governor of Borno State, Col. Abdulmumini Aminu (who would later serve as Chairman of then NFA between 1996 and 1999), El-Kanemi Warriors won their first Nigeria Cup in 1991, when they defeated Kano Pillars 3-2 in the first-ever all-northern final at the National Stadium, Surulere. The following year, the Warriors successfully defended their title when they pipped Stationery Stores 1-0 at the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi.
In their third final in 2001, they lost 0-1 to Dolphin of Port Harcourt at the National Stadium, Surulere. In contrast, this Abia Warriors’ first ever final and to leave no stone unturned in their quest for glory, the Umuahia-based team relocated to Lagos early in the week to seek the support of football-mad Lagosians.
Explaining his team’s desire for success today, Coach Bethel Orji said: “We are here and we’re highly motivated. We are all elated. I thank God for the turnaround in the fortunes of the team, and I am delighted to be playing my first Cup final as a coach.”
A great player and former Cup winner himself, Bethel Orji will be banking on the precision of forwards Samson Obi and Sunday Megwo when Abia Warriors confront the two-time champions by the Lagos Waterfront this evening.
“We are prepared for the game, physically, mentally and psychologically. The players are in high spirits; they are rearing to go.” Fans interested in watching the finals, which will open with the women’s game between Naija Ratels of Abuja against Rivers Angels, should be ready to pay N200 for the popular stand and N2000 for the VIP stand.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Wednesday disclosed that the tickets were being sold online and only persons with tickets would be allowed entry into the arena.
The federation said that the women’s final will kick off the grand finale at 1.00 p.m., while the men’s final commences at 4.00 p.m. Among the dignitaries expected at the event are Sports Development Minister, Senator John Owan Enoh and NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, the federation added.
