Nigerian Federation Cup

The highly anticipated State Federation Cup finals have concluded across Nigeria, producing thrilling encounters and dramatic finishes as top teams battled for supremacy.

With clubs like Shooting Stars, Kano Pillars, Nasarawa United, Heartland FC, and Inter Lagos emerging victorious, the tournament delivered intense football action, spectacular goals, and heartbreaking penalty shootouts. Here’s a comprehensive recap of the biggest winners and key highlights from the state-level competitions leading up to the national Federation Cup.

Ahmed Musa Inspires Kano Pillars to Victory

Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa played a crucial role in guiding Kano Pillars to the Kano State FA Cup title, securing a 3-2 victory over Barau FC at the Sani Abacha Stadium.

The match saw a standout performance from Hadi Olarewaju, who bagged a sensational hat-trick, with Musa assisting his second goal as Maisu Gida lifted their first trophy of the season. The win ensures Kano Pillars’ qualification for the national stage of the Federation Cup.

Penalty Heartbreak in Lagos as Inter Lagos Stun Ikorodu City

In one of the biggest upsets of the tournament, Inter Lagos were crowned Lagos State FA Cup champions after defeating NPFL side Ikorodu City in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.

After a goalless draw in regulation time, Inter Lagos held their nerve to win 5-4 on penalties, with Wisdom Ubani missing the crucial spot-kick for Ikorodu City, the two-time defending champions.

Amunike’s Heartland FC Clinch Imo FA Cup

Former Golden Eaglets U-17 World Cup-winning coach Emmanuel Amunike secured his first silverware as Heartland FC’s head coach, leading his team to a 2-0 win over OISA FC in the Imo State FA Cup final.

A commanding second-half display saw Surajudeen Lawal net a brace, ensuring Heartland FC booked their spot in the national Federation Cup with style.

Other Key FA Cup Winners Across Nigeria

Across different states, top clubs and grassroots teams battled for supremacy, with some games decided by narrow margins and others by penalty shootouts.

  • Nasarawa United claimed the Nasarawa FA Cup title after a 2-0 victory over FC Basira, with Shina Kumater and Garba Abubakar finding the net. Champions Nasarawa United took home ₦200,000, while runners-up FC Basira received ₦100,000.
  • Bendel Insurance dominated the Edo State FA Cup final, securing a 3-0 victory over Assemblies of God FC.
  • In Oyo State, Shooting Stars defeated Crown FC 4-2 on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation time. Goalkeeper Mustapha Lawal emerged as the hero, saving two penalties to hand 3SC the title.
  • Plateau United clinched the Plateau State FA Cup with a 2-0 win over Mighty Jets Feeder.
  • Rangers International reclaimed their dominance in Enugu, securing the 2025 Enugu State FA Cup with a commanding 3-0 win over Ijele FC at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.
  • Akwa United lifted the Akwa Ibom State FA Cup, edging Eagle Eye Academy 1-0, thanks to a stunning volley from Ibrahim Akande in the 75th minute.

Meanwhile, El-Kanemi Warriors remain the defending champions of the national Federation Cup as the anticipation for the next stage of the tournament builds.

All State Federation Cup Winners

Men’s Competition Winners

  • Imo: Heartland FC 2-0 OISA FC
  • Niger: Atlantic FA 0-0 Harmony FA (Atlantic FA win 6-5 on penalties)
  • Abia: Enyimba 0-0 Ahudiyannem FC (Ahudiyannem win 3-1 on penalties)
  • Kwara: Kwara United 1-1 ABS (Kwara United win 5-4 on penalties)
  • Benue: Lobi Stars 2-1 Flight FC
  • Adamawa: No competition
  • Edo: Bendel Insurance 3-0 Assemblies of God
  • Bauchi: Wikki Tourists 1-0 Warinje FC
  • Lagos: Ikorodu City 0-0 Inter Lagos (Inter Lagos win 5-4 on penalties)
  • Jigawa: Lautai United 0-2 Dandidi Babes
  • Rivers: Rivers United 0-0 Wilbros FC (Rivers United win 4-3 on penalties)
  • Ogun: Imperial FC 2-2 Beyond Limits (Imperial FC win 8-7 on penalties)
  • FCT: EFCC 0-0 FWC FC (FWC FC win 4-3 on penalties)
  • Osun: Osun United 0-1 Igbajo FC
  • Nasarawa: FC Basira 0-2 Nasarawa United
  • Enugu: Rangers Int’l 3-0 Ijele FC
  • Anambra: Solution FC 0-0 Edel FC (Edel win 2-0 on penalties)
  • Ondo: Sunshine Stars 0-0 Sunshine Stars U19 (Sunshine Stars win 4-3 on penalties)
  • Ekiti: COPDEM 0-1 NOSMAS FC
  • Borno: El-Kanemi Warriors 3-0 CP Strikers
  • Akwa Ibom: Akwa United 1-0 Eagle Eye FA
  • Oyo: Crown FC 0-0 Shooting Stars (Shooting Stars win 4-2 on penalties)
  • Kogi: Kogi Central FC 1-2 FC Bako
  • Katsina: Katsina United 1-0 Jnr Danburam
  • Ebonyi: Cynosure FC 0-1 Abakaliki FC
  • Kebbi: Discovery Talent Academy 1-5 Kebbi United
  • Bayelsa: Bayelsa United 2-2 Crusaders FC (Crusaders win 4-2 on penalties)
  • Kaduna: Simon Beb FA 1-1 Green Berets (Green Berets win 4-2 after penalties)
  • Gombe: Gombe United 3-1 El-Shama FC
  • Plateau: Mighty Jets Feeders 0-2 Plateau United
  • Cross River: Rovers FC 1-0 E-World
  • Delta: Warri Wolves 2-1 De Sapele Lions
  • Sokoto: Sokoto United 1-2 Sokoto North FC
  • Taraba: Technobat FC 0-1 Eagle Stars FC
  • Kano: Kano Pillars 3-2 Barau FC
  • Yobe: Yobe Desert Stars 10-1 Gujuba Academy
  • Zamfara: Zamfara United 1-0 Zamfara United Feeders

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Women’s Competition Winners

  • Abia: Ahudiyannem Queens
  • Adamawa: Adamawa Queens
  • Akwa Ibom: Ibom Angels 3-0 Jacklyn Angels
  • Anambra: GP World FA
  • Bayelsa: Bayelsa Queens 8-0 Crystal Stars
  • Delta: Delta Queens 2-0 Delta Babes
  • Ebonyi: First Mahi Babes
  • Edo: Edo Queens 3-0 Fortress Ladies
  • Enugu: Queen of Softlanding FC
  • FCT: Naija Ratels 6-0 N-Youth Ladies FA
  • Imo: Heartland Queens
  • Kaduna: Gallant Queens 6-0 Kada Queens
  • Kogi: Confluence Queens
  • Kwara: Moje Queens 2-2 Kwara Ladies (Moje Queens win 4-3 on penalties)
  • Lagos: Unification Ladies 0-1 Dannaz Ladies
  • Nasarawa: Nasarawa Amazons
  • Ogun: Remo Stars Ladies 4-0 Castmong Ladies FC
  • Ondo: Sunshine Queens 3-3 Onimarg FC (Sunshine Queens win 4-2 on penalties)
  • Osun: Osun Babes FC
  • Plateau: Plateau United Queens 2-1 Mighty Jets Mata
  • Rivers: Rivers Angels 10-0 Sparkling Angels

What’s Next? The National Federation Cup Awaits!

With state champions crowned, the 2025 Nigerian Federation Cup moves to the national stage, where the top clubs from all over Nigeria will battle for the ultimate prize.

Can Heartland FC continue their resurgence under Amunike? Will Ahmed Musa’s Kano Pillars dominate on the big stage? Or will an underdog team rise to the occasion? Stay tuned as Soccerbaba.com brings you exclusive updates, match previews, and expert analysis on the Federation Cup!