El-Kanemi Warriors have been crowned champions of the 2026 President Federation Cup after defeating Ikorodu City FC 1-0 in the final played on Saturday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State.
Mukhtar Ismail scored the decisive goal from the penalty spot in the 19th minute, giving the Maiduguri-based side a lead they successfully defended until the final whistle.
The victory secured El-Kanemi Warriors’ fourth President Federation Cup title and their second triumph in the competition in the last three seasons, having also won the trophy in 2024.
The success comes just weeks after the club was relegated from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) to the Nigeria National League (NNL) at the end of the 2025/2026 season.
Despite the setback, the Federation Cup triumph has earned El-Kanemi Warriors a place in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup as Nigeria’s second representative, making them one of the few Nigerian clubs to qualify for continental football after being relegated from the top flight.
