Women finalists to emerge Sunday
Abia Warriors, yesterday in Lafia, defeated former champions, Kano Pillars, 4-3 via penalties after a goalless regular period to qualify for their first-ever President Federation Cup final.
The game played at the Lafia Stadium was both teams’ only avenue to qualify for the continent next season as they finished outside the CAF zone in the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL).
Abia Warriors will now meet El Kanemi Warriors in the final scheduled for the MKO Abiola Stadium on June 29.
To qualify for the final, El Kanemi Warriors defeated Kebbi United 5-4 also via a penalty shootout after a goalless regular period.
Finalists in the women’s category of the competition will emerge on Sunday after the semifinal matches in Enugu and Awka.
In-form Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt, who are not unfamiliar with triumph in the women’s version of the oldest Cup competition in the land, will confront Delta Queens in Awka, while exciting newcomers, Remo Stars Ladies, will tango with Abuja landladies, Naija Ratels, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu. Both matches will kick off at 4.00 p.m.
Last year’s runners-up, Rivers Angels unhinged Osun Babes 5-0 in an imperious performance at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu on Wednesday, at the time that Nasarawa Amazons were being eliminated in a penalty shootout by Remo Stars Ladies in Benin City.
Naija Ratels also experienced penalty shootout jitters, before they sent FC Robo Queens of Lagos packing at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.
Delta Queens dealt a 2-0 blow on Sunshine Queens from Akure in the earlier match in Benin City, and will go all out against Rivers Angels in Awka on Sunday.
The grand finale of both the men’s and women’s competitions has been scheduled for the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on June 29.
It will be the first time that the grand finale of Nigeria’s oldest Cup competition will be staged in the city.
