History was made on Saturday evening when Kwara United lifted their first major trophy — the President Federation Cup title — sending thousands of fans into wild celebration.

This monumental victory came after a tense goalless draw and a dramatic 4–3 penalty shootout win over Abakaliki FC, ending a nearly half-century wait for silverware for the “Afonja Warriors”, Footballrover reports.

A personal victory: Kwara United’s first major trophy

At the heart of this historic win was midfielder Akeem Akanni, whose pace, composure and control were crucial.

For Akeem Akanni, this victory at Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos was more than just a team success; it was a deeply personal milestone, achieved right in front of his family, community and biggest supporters.

Akeem Akanni

The FA Cup final itself was a nail-biting affair, but Akanni controlled the midfield with calm authority alongside Shola Abdulraheem, helping the team keep their shape as they pushed for a breakthrough.

“It feels so great playing the FA Cup final; it was a tense game right from the blast of the whistle till the end, and keeping my composure is very important because it’s a cup game and not a league game; any slip-up will be difficult to recover from,” Akanni shared exclusively with Footballrover after the game.

He covered significant ground and disrupted Abakaliki FC’s play excellently throughout the match.

“That’s me, and that’s just how I can help my team. Either during big games or small games, I always want to give my best and hope my best will be enough to help my team win.”

Despite flashes of brilliance from both sides, neither team could break the deadlock after 90 minutes.

Akanni revealed moments of optimism during the game, saying,

“During the second half, we started growing more into the game while they pushed back. Some moments I keep saying to myself, ‘If we keep playing this way, we’ll get the goal soon,’ but they stood their ground and defended with all their might.”

How Kwara United held their nerve to realise their dream

The game eventually went to a penalty shootout, a scenario for which the Kwara United team was well-prepared.

“Yes, before we travelled down to Lagos, we were always playing penalties at the end of every training session while preparing for the final, so we have prepared mentally and tactically for it,” Akanni confirmed.

When asked what was going through his mind as the shootout began, his response was simple and focused: “Nothing much; it’s just ‘let’s do this’.”

Goalkeeper Suraju Aiyeleso was the hero in the shootout, saving one penalty as another went wide, while four out of five Kwara United players calmly converted their kicks.

According to the Kwara United midfielder, unity within the team played a crucial role in their success.

“The unity is what has kept us going from the first day of the season; we had a lot of challenges, but the unity kept us stronger. It’s the same unity that helps us make efforts to cover up for each other, and I’ll say it also helps us achieve our goal at the end of the game,” Akanni stated.

However, when the final penalty hit the net, Kwara United fans went wild — celebrating their first major trophy in their club’s history.

Akanni described what the win means for him and everyone involved.

“Personally, it means a lot to me; it’s the first major trophy in my career, and it’ll be a major boost for my career. The final was played in my hood, so all my families and community people were there to watch and support, so winning the FA Cup is a very big deal to me.”

“And to Kwara State, it’s also a very big deal for them, as this is the very first time they’ll be witnessing their darling team win a trophy, so I’m very sure the feeling is great for them, and to the Kwara United fans worldwide, I’m pretty sure they are smiling right now and still can’t get over the buzz of winning their first major trophy.”

Akanni’s dedication after winning Kwara United’s first major trophy remains heartfelt.

“I dedicate the victory to my mom and my dad; they were also present at the stadium. It’s so lovely to win such a game right in their presence.”

“I also dedicate this victory to my loved ones. I want to thank them for their support, prayers and for believing in me.”

Akeem and his mother

“I also dedicate the victory to the technical crew and my teammates. It was a difficult journey, and I’m glad we were able to scale through.”

“And finally, I dedicate the victory to the fans and supporters of Kwara United. They keep supporting us come rain, come sunshine; they believed in us even during our difficult times, and they keep cheering us on. This victory is for them and for the people of Kwara State.”

For his loyal fans and young dreamers, Akanni has a message:

“To my supporters, I want to say a very big thank you for the support and the belief. Honestly, sometimes it gets scary and lonely, but with your support I’m always finding a way to scale through. Thank you so much, and keep believing in me.”

“And to the younger ones, the sky is just the beginning. Believe in yourself, build yourself and be more confident in your ability, and always strive for the best.”

Looking ahead, the midfielder wants to keep pushing higher, claiming that his “personal goal has always been to keep climbing the ladder, one step at a time.”

Like this post?
We’d be delighted to hear from you. Please leave a comment in the box below!

Last Updated on June 30, 2025 1:35 pm by Sir Kris