By Victor Kanayo
When the Federation Cup final for the 2023/24 football season gets underway in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital,
on June 29, 2024, two clubs with Warriors attached to their names will be engaged in a fierce battle.
The teams – Abia Warriors and El-Kanemi Warriors unexpectedly reached the final of the age-long competition in the country after overcoming Kano Pillars and Kebbi United in epic semi-final duel on Thursday evening respectively.
Both sides have one thing in common. And that is their defensive masterclass.
At the last four encounter, they held their opponents to a scoreless draw after 90 minutes of goal drought.
They engaged in penalty shootouts before emerging worthy finalists.
Exploits To Final
Now, the clubs are poised for history as the first two to play the final of the competition.
While Abia came out 4-3 victorious in Lafia township Stadium, El-Kanemi also triumphed 5-4 after a penalty shootout over surprise semi-finalists Kebbi United at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project in Abuja.
Pillars missed two of their five kicks while Abia Warriors converted all their four kicks.
In Abuja, hard-fighting Kebbi United fluffed their second kick in the shootout, while El-Kanemi Warriors converted all their five to make the progress to nearby MKO Abiola National Stadium for the grand finale.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has inaugurated Beach Soccer committee with a promise to boost the game same way like other National teams including Super Eagles, Super Falcons have been given necessary attention.
