The finals of the President Federation Cup, 2025, comes up on Saturday, 28 June, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, MJA, Stadium, popularly known as Onikan Water Front. 

And the joy of it, is that the two teams are yet to taste victory at this level of the annual competition. But the balance is that one is an old soldier while the other is a freshman. 

History has it that it was 41 years ago, 1984, that a certain Leventis United, led by Captain Matthew Onyema, lifted the oldest cup in Nigerian football competition, as a 3rd-tier division club side. And that is the element of surprise that the Abakaliki FC hopes to exhibit on Saturday. 

But the coach of Kwara United, Tunde Sanni, made it clear that Kwara United are the surprise team of the FA Cup this year. 

"We, as an old state, have waited for 49 years to get to this stage. A stage Alyufusalam Rocks of Ilorin got to in 1976, before Enugu Rangers stopped them with 2 unreplied goals, to lift the cup.

"Ironically, it was the same Rangers that we stopped in the semis before getting here now. So, we are on a mission. Our Continental ticket is waiting for us", Coach Sanni said.

He went further to explain how prepared they are; how they arrived Lagos eight days ahead of the finals; training as if their lives depended on this cup; how their fans have promised that they have turned a new leaf, attitude-wise, promising they will fill up Onikan Water Front on Saturday, cheering their team to victory.

"Even our Emir and the Governor are solidly behind us. And we are highly motivated.", he added.

The journey to the top has been a fairly  tale of dog-eat-dog, not minding your status. Abakaliki FC, brought some slices of mixed fortunes as they got relegated to the Nationwide League One, NLO, from the Nigerian National League, NNL. 

But got to the President Federation Cup final beating four NPLF teams. Kwara United, also known as the Harmony Boys had both top teams and others for breakfast and lunch before coming to dinner with the Rice Boys.

June 28, 2025, promises to re-live the nostalgic times of East and West, when Enugu Rangers and IICC of Ibadan, used to turn Onikan to a great fun-filled ground.