Defending President Federation Cup champions Kwara United are still waiting to receive the N50 million prize money promised for winning last year’s competition, even as the finalists for the 2026 edition have now been confirmed.
The Harmony Boys lifted Nigeria’s oldest domestic trophy in 2025 after edging Abakaliki 4-3 on penalties in Lagos, but 12 months later, the financial reward attached to that triumph remains unpaid.
According to sources close to the club, there has been no communication from the Nigeria Football Federation regarding the outstanding payment.
“It has not been paid, and there has been silence since we won. There has been nothing to say, this is what we are getting. Even the players had to move on and focus on football eventually,” a club source revealed on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.
Attempts to obtain clarification from NFF president Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and the federation’s Director of Competitions, Ruth David, were unsuccessful, with none responding to inquiries before publication.
2025 President Federation Cup champions
While uncertainty continues to surround the unpaid prize money, attention has already shifted to this season’s final.
Nigeria Premier Football League newcomers Ikorodu City continued their remarkable cup run by securing a place in the final after defeating Nasarawa United 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
The defeat extended Nasarawa United’s painful history in the competition, with the Solid Miners once again falling short in a penalty shootout at the same venue, five years after losing the 2021 final to Bayelsa United.
In the second semi-final, three-time champions El-Kanemi Warriors booked back-to-back appearances in the Federation Cup final after defeating Wikki Tourists 3-1 in Katsina.
The men’s final between Ikorodu City and El-Kanemi Warriors is scheduled for July 11 in Asaba.
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In the women’s competition, Heartland Queens will make their first-ever appearance in the Federation Cup final after defeating FC Robo Queens 2-1 in Benin City.
They will face Nasarawa Amazons, who reached a second consecutive final courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Sunshine Queens at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.
As preparations continue for this year’s finals, Kwara United remain without the N50 million reward they earned by lifting the trophy a year ago, leaving questions over the delayed payment still unanswered.
