El-Kanemi Warriors FC, a team freshly promoted to NPFL from the Nigeria National League (NNL), defied all odds on Saturday evening to be crowned champions of the 2024 President Federation Cup.
Their convincing 2-0 victory over Abia Warriors FC at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos saw them break a 32-year-old jinx.
This victory, indeed, is a remarkable feat for the Maiduguri-based side, Footballrover reports.
Not only have they secured a return to the top-flight Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), but they have also secured a coveted continental spot.
El-Kanemi Warriors will be joining Enyimba FC as Nigeria’s representatives in the CAF Confederation Cup next season.
Abia Warriors, featuring in their first-ever Federation Cup final, were left stunned by the resilience and tactical sharpness of the NNL side.
Nasiru Salihu emerged as the hero for El-Kanemi Warriors, bagging a brace—one in each half (32nd and 68th minutes)—to silence the Abia Warriors’ challenge.
After losing out to Dolphins FC’s in 2001, the Maiduguri Warriors becomes the second team from the NNL to conquer the Federation Cup.
El-Kanemi Warriors are Champions of the President Federation Cup 2024 after defeating Abia Warriors 2-0 in Lagos ????
El Kanemi will pick up the final Nigerian slot in the CAF Confederations Cup. #PresidentFederationCup2024 pic.twitter.com/9gUPFOdhCo
— ???????????????????????? (@official_micolo) June 29, 2024
This 23-year gap highlights the magnitude of El-Kanemi Warriors’ achievement, proving that success can be found even outside the top division.
Coach Bethel Oji of Abia Warriors will now have to wait for his first managerial title, having tasted success as a player with Julius Berger in 1994.
For El-Kanemi Warriors, the celebrations will be long and loud.
They have not only secured promotion and a continental ticket, but they have also written their names into the history books as the NNL team that conquered the Federation Cup yet again after more than two decades.
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