Kwara vs Abakaliki: Coaches Review 2025 Federation Cup Final

Posted : 30 June 2025

Kwara United head coach Tunde Sanni has admitted that Abakaliki FC proved to be a tougher opponent than expected in Saturday’s 2025 President Federation Cup Final, which ended in a dramatic 4–3 penalty shootout win for the Harmony Boys.

Speaking after the match held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, Sanni expressed admiration for the resilience and tactical organisation displayed by the underdogs from Ebonyi State.

“We never knew they were this good,” Sanni said. “Honestly, we were surprised by the quality of football they played. They gave us a very tough game.”

Despite controlling possession and creating several scoring chances, Kwara United could not find the breakthrough in regulation time. The match eventually went to penalties after a goalless draw.

“We had chances in the first half to score, but couldn’t convert. Their defensive strategy was solid—they sat deep, defended with numbers, and made it very difficult to penetrate,” Sanni added.

He also praised his team’s goalkeeper and credited his players for keeping their composure in the shootout. According to Sanni, Abakaliki FC’s pressing and man-marking limited Kwara’s attacking midfielders and forced them to build from the flanks.

“They didn’t allow two of our key midfielders to operate freely. I must commend their tactical awareness and discipline,” he noted.

With the victory, Kwara United claimed their first-ever national title and will now represent Nigeria in the 2025/2026 CAF Confederation Cup, alongside Abia Warriors FC.

Abakaliki FC head coach Ifeanyi Onyedika, M.O.N., praised his team’s journey to the final, calling it the “pinnacle of sporting achievement” for Ebonyi State.

“We worked very hard for this game. We knew Kwara United always try to seal it in the first half, so we planned to counter them in the second. Unfortunately, one of our strikers picked up a knock and couldn’t be substituted on time,” Onyedika said.

Though disappointed by the defeat, the coach took pride in the team’s performance and its impact on sports in the state.

“This is the height of progress for Ebonyi in football. It’s never happened before, so yes, this season was a success.”

Onyedika confessed that he hadn’t anticipated such a remarkable run to the final within seven months of forming the team, but attributed their progress to hard work and commitment.

“No, I didn’t expect it. But we worked hard, that’s the secret,” he added.

Following a challenging campaign in the Nigeria National League (NNL), Abakaliki FC will now compete in the Nationwide League One (NLO) next season.

Onyedika acknowledged the steep learning curve of the NNL and criticized poor officiating as a significant challenge.

“NNL is a completely different environment. We started in November and before we knew it, the season was gone. Some officials were horrible—it really made the job difficult,” he said.

Despite the setback, he remains optimistic about the future.

“Wherever we find ourselves next season, we’ll keep working hard and see how far we can go.”

Abakaliki FC’s underdog story has inspired fans across Nigeria, and their coach believes the milestone will draw more attention and investment to sports development in Ebonyi State.

Kwara vs Abakaliki: Coaches Review 2025 Federation Cup Final

Kwara United head coach Tunde Sanni has admitted that Abakaliki FC proved to be a tougher opponent than expected in Saturday’s 2025 President Federation Cup Final, which ended in a dramatic 4–3 penalty shootout win for the Harmony Boys.

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