4 teams, 1 dream as Federation Cup reaches semi-final
By Tosin Omojola
The Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina and the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City will host the semi-final matches of this year’s President Federation Cup on Wednesday, with four teams battling for places in the final.
One of the standout fixtures will take place in Katsina, where Wikki Tourists of Bauchi will face El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri. Both teams were recently relegated from the Nigeria Premier Football League and will compete in the second tier next season.
El-Kanemi Warriors are among the competition’s most successful clubs, having won the trophy in 1991, 1992 and 2024. They defeated Kano Pillars 3-2 in the 1991 final before edging Stationery Stores 1-0 the following year. Two years ago, the Maiduguri side claimed the title again, overcoming Abia Warriors in the final at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, inspired by the performances of midfielder Nasiru Salihu.
Wikki Tourists, meanwhile, are aiming to reach the final for the first time since their only Federation Cup triumph in 1998, when they defeated Plateau United on penalties after a goalless draw at the Ranchers Bees Stadium in Kaduna.
On their route to the last four, Wikki Tourists eliminated Jigawa Golden Stars Jnr, former champions Bayelsa United, Kada Warriors and Flight FC. El-Kanemi Warriors, on the other hand, overcame Krusaders FC, Akwa United, Bendel Insurance and Sokoto United.
The second semi-final will be played at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, where 2021 finalists Nasarawa United will take on ambitious Nigeria Premier Football League side Ikorodu City.
Ikorodu City suffered heartbreak at the same stage of last year’s competition, losing 5-4 on penalties to Abakaliki FC after a goalless draw. However, the Lagos-based club has enjoyed an impressive campaign, retaining its NPFL status and narrowly missing out on a continental ticket after finishing behind Shooting Stars on the final day of the season.
Nasarawa United, who lost to Bayelsa United on penalties in the 2021 final at the same venue, will be hoping to rewrite history. The Solid Miners reached the semi-finals after victories over Westgate FC, Ejigbo City, Rivers United and Plateau United, while Ikorodu City accounted for Gaa Akanbi, Jigawa Golden Stars, Enyimba and Barau FC to book their place in the last four.
