All permutations about the possibility of ‘home advantage’ for Ikorodu City FC of Lagos in this year’s President Federation Cup final have been dashed, as the match will not take place at Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan; which had been the preferred venue in recent years.
Sports247 reports that, instead of retaining the 2016 final at The Onikan Waterfront, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has disclosed that Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State will host this year’s grand finale on July 11th.
The decision puts a blow to the aspirations of players, coaches, officials and fans of Ikorodu City, who were already scheming how to make the best of playing the final in Lagos against El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri.
Although El-Kanemi won the last of their three FA Cup titles at the Onikan-based arena in 2024, playing there against Ikorodu City would have been a minus, considering that The Oga Boys host their league home matches at the same venue.
As it were, the team coached by Bright Ozegbagbe turned the arena into a fortress this past season in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL), where they pulled off many stunning results that led them pretty close to picking a continental ticket.
They now have a last chance to still get a continental spot through the Federation Cup, but the opportunity of doing it with ‘home advantage’ at the iconic arena in Onikan area of Lagos Island will no longer be there due to the NFF’s switch to Asaba.
A press release from the NFF’s communications department added, “Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, capital of Delta State, will play host to this year’s grand finale of men’s and women’s competitions of the President Federation Cup.
“In the men’s competition, Ikorodu City and three-time champions, El-Kanemi Warriors on Wednesday emerged the finalists, defeating Nasarawa United and Wikki Tourists respectively.
“The women’s competition has reached the semi finals, with FC Robo Queens, Heartland Queens, Sunshine Queens and Nasarawa Amazons reaching the last four.”
