Defending President Federation Cup champions Kwara United are still waiting to receive the N50m prize money promised for winning last year’s competition, even as the finalists for the 2026 edition have now emerged, The PUNCH reports.
The Harmony Boys defeated Abakaliki FC 4-3 on penalties in Lagos to lift Nigeria’s oldest football trophy in 2025, but one year after that triumph, the Ilorin-based club is yet to receive the financial reward attached to their success.
Sources close to the club told The PUNCH that there has been no communication from the Nigeria Football Federation regarding the outstanding payment.
“It has not been paid, and there has been silence since we won. There has been nothing to say, this is what we are getting. Even the players had to move on and focus on football eventually,” a club source said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter.
Efforts to get comments from NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and the federation’s Director of Competitions, Ruth David, were unsuccessful as they had yet to respond to inquiries as of the time of filing this report.
While the issue remains unresolved, attention has shifted to this year’s competition, with Ikorodu City and El-Kanemi Warriors booking their places in the men’s final scheduled for July 11 in Asaba.
At the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Ikorodu City continued their fairytale run by defeating Nasarawa United 4-2 on penalties after both teams played a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
The result extended Nasarawa United’s misery in the competition, with the Solid Miners once again suffering heartbreak from the penalty spot at the same venue, five years after losing the 2021 final to Bayelsa United.
In Katsina, three-time champions El-Kanemi Warriors secured a second consecutive appearance in the final after beating Wikki Tourists 3-1 in their semi-final clash.
In the women’s competition, Heartland Queens will battle Nasarawa Amazons for the title after both sides recorded semi-final victories.
Heartland Queens reached the final for the first time in their history following a 2-1 win over FC Robo Queens in Benin City, while Nasarawa Amazons booked a second successive appearance in the final with a 2-1 victory over Sunshine Queens at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.
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