El-Kanemi Warriors claimed the 2026 President Federation Cup title after a disciplined 1-0 victory over Ikorodu City FC in the final played at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Trybal News reports.
The decisive moment arrived in the 19th minute when Muktar Ismail converted from the penalty spot to give the Maiduguri side an early advantage.
El-Kanemi controlled large periods of the first half and looked comfortable in possession as they limited Ikorodu City to few opportunities in the attacking third. The Lagos side’s best opening before the interval came in the 40th minute when Folarin Temitope’s free-kick effort sailed over the crossbar.
The Warriors went into the break with a deserved 1-0 lead following a composed and organised first-half performance.
Ikorodu City emerged from the interval with renewed intensity and pushed aggressively for an equaliser. The pressure nearly paid off shortly before the hour mark as the Lagos club forced El-Kanemi’s goalkeeper into two important saves, while the Warriors’ defence produced a series of crucial clearances to maintain their advantage.
Despite sustained second-half pressure from Ikorodu City, El-Kanemi remained resolute at the back and successfully protected their slender lead until the final whistle.
The victory sees El-Kanemi Warriors lift the President Federation Cup for the fourth time in the club’s history, adding the 2026 title to previous triumphs in 1991, 1992 and 2024.
Victory secures El-Kanemi Warriors a place in the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup, where they will once again represent Nigeria on the continental stage.
The triumph also continues the recent dominance of coaches from Kwara State in the competition, with El-Kanemi head coach Suleiman Dogo becoming the third consecutive Kwara-born coach to lift the President Federation Cup following Aliyu Zubairu in 2024 and Tunde Sanni in 2025.
