The stage is set for a pulsating climax to the 2025 President Federation Cup (PFC) today being Saturday 28th June 2025 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos, where underdog sensations Abakaliki FC popularly known as De Rice Boys will lock horns with the seasoned Nigeria Premier League side Kwara United in a grand finale that promises high drama, skill, and the making of history.
Before the headline male final, the women’s final sees Rivers United ladies clash with Nasarawa Amazons in what is expected to be another exciting contest. But all eyes will be on the later fixture, where Abakaliki FC, a team barely seven months old in the national league and dubbed “giant killers,” seek to etch their name in Nigerian football folklore.
Since their emergence, Abakaliki FC have defied every expectation, eliminating top-tier teams like Enyimba FC, Katsina United, Nasarawa United, and Ikorodu City FC en route to the final. Their journey has not only shocked pundits but redefined the competition's narrative. With a foundation built on tactical discipline, youthful hunger, and a community-fueled drive, the club has become a beacon of new footballing hope for Ebonyi State Nigeria.
Manager Senator Obinna Ogba, a former Senate Committee Chairman on Sports, expressed unwavering confidence ahead of the encounter. “This match is do-or-die. Our mission is to write history not just for Ebonyi, but for Nigerian football. We're targeting continental football, and this trophy is our ticket,” Ogba declared.
De Rice Boys’ technical bench is led by none other than Ifeanyi Onyedika — an AFCON '80 champion and multiple-time Federation Cup-winning coach. Onyedika’s experience and strategic insight have been critical in guiding the young squad through stormy waters against more established clubs.
Speaking ahead of the final, Onyedika extolled his players’ discipline and faith. “This is not just talent; it’s about purpose and belief. We’re ready, and we know God is with us,” he said.
For Kwara United, the stakes are equally high. A club with decades of top-flight football under its belt, they haven’t lifted the Federation Cup in over 40 years. With the pressure of history looming, Kwara sees today’s final as an opportunity to end the long drought and reaffirm their elite status.
Analysts say Kwara’s experience in top-tier league competitions could be a deciding factor. However, with over 60% of pre-match fan predictions tipping Abakaliki FC for a win, according to surveys conducted at the stadium, the so-called underdogs may be walking in as crowd favorites.
Back home in Ebonyi, excitement has reached fever pitch. The state government, led by Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has thrown full weight behind the team. The Governor, alongside his counterparts from Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, and Rivers, is expected at the match venue. The government provided transportation and logistics to mobilize supporters to Lagos, reinforcing the widespread support for the team.
Prominent political figures including former Governor Sam Egwu, incumbent Deputy Speaker Chinedu Onah, and Senator Anthony Ani have all issued passionate calls for victory, praising the club for restoring pride and hope in the state’s sporting sector.
De Rice Boys aren’t just banking on training and tactics; they’re calling on divine intervention. Players and coaching staff have engaged in rounds of prayer, emphasizing their belief that their journey so far has been under God’s favour. The squad’s unity and spiritual fortitude have become a rallying point for fans.
One player, Omar Joseph, the Assistant Coach of the Giant Killers (Abakaliki FC) said, “We’ve done our part in training, now we’re trusting God and our people’s support to finish the job.”
A win for Abakaliki FC will not just mark a fairy-tale ending to a remarkable debut campaign — it would also secure them a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup next season. This would make Ebonyi State a continental football destination, potentially attracting foreign clubs and scouts to the state capital.
Moreover, such a victory would symbolize the rebirth of football in a state that was once sidelined in national sports discourse. The match has already unified communities, sparked youth inspiration, and rekindled belief in grassroots talent development.
As the sun sets over Lagos today, the Mobolaji Johnson Arena will erupt in the spirit of competition, passion, and unity. Whether it ends in a fairy-tale coronation for De Rice Boys or a long-awaited triumph for Kwara United, one thing is certain — the 2025 President Federation Cup Final will go down as one of the most memorable in Nigerian football history.
Let the game begin.
