Julius OkorieKwara United will join Abia Warriors in representing Nigeria in the CAF Confederation Cup next season.
Afonja Warriors as the Ilorin based side are fondly called emerged victorious in their Federation cup battle against giant killers, Abakaliki FC, at the Onikan Stadium in Lagos on Saturday.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe encounter, which ended goalless at regulation time saw the Ilorin side triumph on 4-3 penalty.
The victory was a major plus for Afonja Warriors who had a very difficult 2024-2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, finishing 14 on the league table with 50 points in 38 matches and 10 places gap from top-four finish.
Abia Warriors who finished third on the league table automatically clinched the first CAF Confederation cup slot leaving the second slot to the Federation Cup winner which Kwara United gladly claimed Saturday With an elated Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq watching from the stands.
Recall that League Champions Remo Stars and runners up Rivers United pocketed the slots for the CAF Champions League.
It will interest you to know that four teams: Heartland of Owerri, Akwa United, Sunshine Stars of Akure and Lobi Stars of Makurdi were relegated from the Nigeria Premier League at the conclusion of the 2024/2025 season.
The duo of El-kanemi Warriors and Kastina United, escaped by the Whiskers after finishing 15th and 16th on the log with 49 and 50 points in 38 matches respectively.
READ ALSO:Operation Sweep: Kwara Utd Sack 22 Recruit 23 For New Season
Eight Nigeria National League (NNL) teams Crown of Ogbomosho, Kun khalifat of Owerri, Doma United FC of Gombe, Osun United of Oshogbo, Wikki Tourists of Bauchi, Yobe Desert Stars of Damaturu, Warri Wolves of Warri and Barau FC of Kano will trade tackles to determine four teams that will be promoted to the elite division to replace those who have fallen by the way side. The Eight teams Primebusiness.africa reports will lock horns in the Super 8 scheduled for July 5-8.
We understand that one of the venues for the showdown Jay Jay Okocha Stadium located in Ogwashiukwu, hometown of former Super Eagles legend and midfield maestro Jay Jay Okocha is already wearing a new look.
Meanwhile, in the Women’s Category of the Federation Cup,Rivers Angels extended their triumph in the championship to 10, after beating defeating Nasarawa Amazons on Saturday.
The women’s final ended in a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes before it was decided by a penalty shoot-out. Rukayat Shobowale scored two first-half goals to give Nasarawa State-based club the lead heading into the break.
But Rivers Angels bounced back as Taiwo Ajibade and ex-Flamingos midfielder Taiwo Afolabi Levelled up for the Garden City babes.
During the penalty shootout, Nasarawa Amazons missed two of their kicks while River Angels built on that to earn 4-2 victory on penalties.
Rivers Angels previous won the Federation Cup in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2024.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
