A viral image from the 2025 President Federation Cup final has turned into a life-changing moment for Oluwatoyin Oluwaponmile Abdullahi, popularly referred to as “Iya Oni Guguru and Epa”, (Groundut and Pop Corn Seller) who travelled from Ilorin to Lagos with her Pop Corn and Groundnut wares to support Kwara United.
The iconic photo of her celebrating on the pitch with her merchandise after Kwara United’s victory captured national attention and symbolized the passion of grassroots football supporters.
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Her dedication has now been rewarded with a total of ₦1.5 million.
Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, gifted her ₦1 million in recognition of her extraordinary commitment and show of love for the team. In addition, philanthropist and political ally of the Governor, Yahaya Seriki, contributed another ₦500,000 to appreciate her courage and loyalty.
The reward ceremony took place at the Bouquet Hall in Ilorin on Monday, following the team’s victory parade across the city in celebration of their historic Federation Cup triumph.
During the same event, the Governor also announced a reward of ₦5 million and a plot of land for each Kwara United player.
The gesture came after the team’s hard-fought victory over Abakaliki FC in the final held at Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos. The match ended goalless after regular time before Kwara United clinched the title 4-3 on penalties.
This victory marks the first time in history that Kwara United has won Nigeria’s oldest football competition, an achievement that also secures their qualification for the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup.
While the Governor’s generous rewards to the team and notable supporters have been widely applauded, there was no mention of any formal recognition for members of the supporters’ club or media personnel who played vital roles in rallying support and providing coverage throughout the tournament.
Nonetheless, the overall gesture has been hailed by fans and football stakeholders as a demonstration of the administration’s growing commitment to sports development, youth engagement, and grassroots appreciation in Kwara State.
With continental football now on the horizon, Kwara United is expected to build on this momentum as they gear up to represent Nigeria on the African stage.
