By Amaechi Agbo
Debutants Heartland Queens and Ikorodu City gave their very best but eventually fell to the firepower of the old guard as El-Kanemi Warriors and Nasarawa Amazons lifted the men’s and women’s trophies of this year’s President Federation Cup competition in Asaba on Saturday.
Following a scoreless first half, the Queens, who sent packing more illustrious FC Robo Queens of Lagos in the semi finals, shot into the lead early in the second half at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, through Chizoba Johnson, but Coach Christopher Danjuma’s charges from Lafia levelled later on through Judith Adaobi, to send the contest into a penalty shootout.
The Amazons prevailed 6-5 after the shootout went into sudden death.
In the men’s final, Muktari Ismail converted a first-half penalty to hand the trophy to El-Kanemi Warriors, with the Maiduguri boys refusing to budge despite spirited efforts by Ikorodu City in the second half.
El-Kanemi Warriors thus picked the ticket to represent Nigeria in the CAF Confederation Cup, alongside Shooting Stars of Ibadan who had earlier finished third in the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Awards
Women’s Competition
Winner: Nasarawa Amazons
Runner-Up: Heartland Queens
MVP: Ayatsea Hembafan (Nasarawa Amazons FC)
Top Scorer: Peace Effiong (Rivers Angels FC – 4 goals)
Best Goalkeeper: Udoka Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons FC)
Men’s Competition
Winner: El-Kanemi Warriors
Runner-Up: Ikorodu City
MVP: Muktari Ismail (El-Kanemi Warriors FC)
Top Scorer: Imam Bala Magaji (Wikki Tourists FC – 6 goals)
Best Goalkeeper: Temitope Suleiman (El-Kanemi Warriors FC)
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