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Kwara United, Rivers Angels Win 2025 President Federation Cup

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

Cup holders Rivers Angels made it 10th title accomplished as they edged Nasarawa Amazons on penalties, while Kwara United won their first-ever national trophy at the grand finale of this year’s President Federation Cup in Lagos on Saturday. The women’s final showcased a compelling match-up between the reigning champions, Rivers Angels and arch-rivals Nasarawa Amazons. Amazons began aggressively and notched the first goal in the 8th minute through former junior international Shola Shobowale. The Jewels of Rivers responded by increasing their offensive efforts so as to restore parity. However, in the 20th minute, Shobowale netted her second goal of the match, extending the Amazons’ lead to 2-0 at half time. Despite the apparent control maintained by the Amazons in the second period, Rivers Angels mounted a significant comeback effort. In the 57th minute, former Nigeria U17 team captain Taiwo Ajibade, scored to reduce the deficit. Shortly after, the Jewels found parity through a well-taken goal. In the ensuing penalty shootout, the Angles prevailed 4-2 to successfully defend their crown and collect the trophy for the 10th time. Goalkeeper Anderline Mgbechi, who won the best goalkeeper award, converted her team’s final kick for victory. In the men’s final, Kwara United stood firm against ‘giant-killers’ Abakaliki FC from Ebonyi State and eventually prevailed 4-3 after penalty shootout following a scoreless situation after regulation time. The Afonja Warriors came close to scoring in the 31st minute, advancing from midfield and executing strong play that brought them close to the Rice Boys’ goal. However, their attempt struck the woodwork, keeping the scoreline at 0-0 as both teams looked for the breakthrough. In the second half, Kwara United pushed hard to break the deadlock, with Wasiu Alalade nodding a goal in the 57th minute, which was ruled offside by Referee Joseph Ogabor. In the penalty shootout, Kwara United were triumphant in a 4-3 win. AWARDS WOMEN’S COMPETITION Winner: Rivers Angels (N25million) Runner-Up: Nasarawa Amazons (N10million) MVP: Shola Shobowale (Nasarawa Amazons FC) Top Scorer: Abasi Ofon Uwa (Ibom Angels FC) Best Goalkeeper: Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels FC) MEN’S COMPETITION Winner: Kwara United FC (N50million) Runner-Up: Abakaliki FC (N20million) MVP: Victor Okoye (Kwara United FC) Top Scorer: Mercelle Akinocho (Beyond Limits FC) Best Goalkeeper: Suraj Aiyeleso (Kwara United FC)

President Federation Cup: Mathias, Alalade, Afolabi Set to Dazzle in Grand Finale

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago06 mins

Big midfielder Josephine Mathias will be the cynosure of eyes when Rivers Angels and Nasarawa Amazons clash in the final of women’s competition of the 2025 President Federation Cup at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Saturday. Six years ago, Mathias, who had just returned from a spell in Turkey with Trabzon idmanocagi, teamed up with Rivers Angels Football Club of Port Harcourt. She was a member of the squad that lost to Nasarawa Amazons in the final of the Nigeria FA Cup competition in Kaduna in 2019. Today, Mathias is the captain of the Amazons, and much will be expected of her as the girls from Nasarawa confront Cup holders and multiple winners Rivers Angels in the final at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena. Last year, the girls from Garden City were properly stretched in their game against Naija Ratels FC of Abuja at the same venue, but won 1-0 for their 9th title. That victory somewhat made up for their painful loss to arch-rivals Bayelsa Queens in the 2023 final, when both teams needed a penalty shootout to find the difference at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba. That defeat, and the loss to Nasarawa Amazons at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna six years ago, remain one of the very few times that the Jewels of Rivers have ended the season without the Nigeria FA Cup in their kitty. Now coached by Tosan Blankson, Rivers Angels sizzled past Ilorin-based Moje Queens 7-0 and First Mahi Babes from Abakaliki 5-0 in the earlier rounds, before outlasting Remo Stars Ladies 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time in the quarter finals, and piping fit-fighting Ibom Angels 1-0 in the semi-finals. On their part, Lafia-based Amazons decisioned Kwara Ladies 6-0 in the Round of 32, edged 2023 winners Bayelsa Queens 2-1 in the Round of 16, grilled Sunshine Queens for four un-replied goals in the quarter finals and sent Edo Queens packing by two goals in the semi-finals. The Amazons will miss the services of first-choice goalkeeper Rachael Unachukwu and defender Sikiratu Isah, who are both with the Super Falcons in Morocco for the 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations, but they have Mathias, defenders Jumoke Alani and Oluchi Ohaegbulem, midfielders Aminat Bello, Shola Shobowale and Yina Adoo, and forward Janet Akekoromowei who have also tasted action at different national team levels. Jewels, on their part, are bolstered by goalkeeper Anderline Mgbechi, midfield pearl Taiwo Afolabi and junior internationals Peace Effiong, Motunrayo Ezekiel and Chidera Okenwa. In the men’s final, Kwara United’s goal-machine Wasiu Alalade is the man ball fans will look out for when the clash between the Afonja Warriors and Abakaliki FC rolls off by 4pm. Alalade is a symbol of utmost dedication, great marksmanship and resilience at the fore. United also have seasoned goalkeeper Suraju Aiyeleso, Isa Gatta, Adamu Abubakar and Wasiu Jimoh. Abakaliki FC will pin their hopes on goalkeeper Pascal Elochukwu, Cyril Timothy, Chisom Ogbu, Ejike Nwafor, Collins Kalu and Chukwudi Okoro. MATCH OFFICIALS WOMEN’S FINAL: RIVERS ANGELS VS NASARAWA AMAZONS Match Coordinator: Professor (Mrs) M. A. Suleiman Referee Assessor: Mrs Sarah J. Adebisi Referee: Hannah Eliagwu AR1: Mfon Friday AR2: Faith Agbons RR: Ndidi Patience Madu MEN’S FINAL: ABAKALIKI FC VS KWARA UNITED FC Match Coordinator: Mr. Yakubu Sarma Referee Assessor: Mr. Peter Edibe Referee: Joseph Ogabor AR1: Mahmud Yakubu AR2: Emmanuel Omada RR: Yemisi Akintoye