Kwara United head coach, Tunde Sanni, has reiterated his side’s ambition is to win the President’s Federation Cup at the expense of Abakaliki FC on Saturday, www.aclsports.com reports.
Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side Kwara United will face Abakaliki, who just got relegated to the third division, in the final of the 2025 edition of the cup competition at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos, on Saturday.
While speaking to the press ahead of the final, Tunde Sanni explained what the trophy means and how they want to make the opportunity count.
“Our ambition is very clear – to win,” Sanni told newsmen on Friday.
“As a state, it was 49 years ago that reached this stage last. As a former player and captain of Kwara United, we have been looking for this opportunity for so long, and now it has come, and we do not want it to elude us. We are doing everything possible for us to win on Saturday.
On the pressure of facing a giant-killing side like Abakaliki FC, Sanni said their performance in the league is not a reflection of the Rice Boys’ journey to the final.
“74 teams came into this tournament. So, for them to get to this stage, we cannot look at their position on the league table, whether they are relegated or not, it is never our concern. As Kwara United, we also faced some teams in that area. We are playing against them as finalists and not position on the league log. We will take the game seriously.”
Abakaliki FC defeated the likes of Enyimba, Nasarawa United, Katsina United, and Ikorodu City in previous games, but Sanni says his side is not unfazed by that.
“They have been beating teams in the NPFL, and we have also been beating teams in the NNL. We defeated like three of them before reaching this final. It gives us an idea of how they play in the second division. When you talk about pressure, it is normal. It will come, but with the awareness from everyone in our state, we want to win,” Sanni concluded.
On his part, the club captain, Kabiru Mohammed, spoke about the desire to take their opportunity against the Ebonyi side in the final on Saturday.
“We have worked so hard to get to this position, and this is an opportunity; we are not going to miss it. I have played for different clubs, and we did not get to the final. So, this is a lifetime opportunity for me to win the Federation Cup.”
Saturday’s final between Kwara United and Abakaliki FC will kick off by 4pm.
