Relegated El-Kanemi Warriors ended a difficult Nigeria Premier Football League season on a high by winning the 2026 President Federation Cup on Saturday.
The Maiduguri-based club defeated Ikorodu City FC 1-0 in the final at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State.
Mukhtar Ismail scored the only goal of the match from the penalty spot in the 19th minute.
El-Kanemi defended their lead throughout the second half to deny Ikorodu City their first major trophy.
The victory secured El-Kanemi Warriors’ fourth President Federation Cup title, and their second triumph in the competition in three seasons.
The title comes weeks after El-Kanemi Warriors were relegated to the Nigeria National League following the conclusion of the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League season.
Despite the relegation, the cup victory earned the club a place in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup as Nigeria’s second representative.
The achievement makes El-Kanemi Warriors one of the few Nigerian clubs to qualify for continental football after suffering relegation from the top flight.
The victory also extends the club’s recent success in the competition after lifting the trophy in 2024.
Two El-Kanemi Warriors stars also received prestigious individual awards following the club’s triumph.Midfielder Muktar Ismail was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament after an impressive campaign.
The Kano-born star played a key role in El-Kanemi’s title run and capped off his performances by scoring the winning goal from the penalty spot in the final.
The triumph marked his second President Federation Cup title with El-Kanemi Warriors, having also lifted the trophy in 2024.
Goalkeeper Suleiman Tomitope was awarded the Golden Glove as the tournament’s best goalkeeper.
The shot stopper produced a series of outstanding performances throughout the competition, conceding only one goal on the road to the title.
The award also marks the first major trophy of his professional career.
The awards highlight El-Kanemi Warriors’ dominance in the 2026 President Federation Cup, with both players playing crucial roles in the club’s successful campaign.
