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Abakaliki FC’s fairytale run in the 2025 President Federation Cup continued on Wednesday as the Nigeria National League (NNL) side pulled off another major upset—beating top-tier Ikorodu City FC 5-4 on penalties to secure a place in the final, Footynaija.com reports.
The semi-final, played at the Area 3 Stadium in Abuja, ended goalless after 90 minutes, forcing the match into a tense shootout.
Abakaliki FC kept their composure, converting five of their six spot kicks through Emeka Ugwu, Uche, Jude Aleke, and Elochukwu Paschal. Misses from Ikorodu City’s Kelechi Onwe and Marvelous Freedom proved costly, sending the Premier League side crashing out.
The Ebonyi-based club have now eliminated three Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) teams in this year’s competition — Katsina United (1-0), Enyimba FC (2-0), and Nasarawa United (2-1) — to reach the final for the first time in their history.
Tough defeat in Abuja.
— IkoroduCityFC (@IkoroduCityFC) May 21, 2025
Hats off for a courageous season fight lads! Top stuff#PresidentFederationCup2025 Semi Final#OgaBoys \\ #WeAreIkoroduCityFC pic.twitter.com/oEj9hFXYrk
Awaiting them is Kwara United, who beat Rangers International in the other semi-final.
It will also be the Ilorin side’s first-ever Federation Cup final, though the state’s previous finalists Alyufsalam Rocks lost to Rangers in 1976.
A win for Abakaliki FC would make them the first club from Ebonyi State to lift the prestigious trophy. More importantly, the 2025 champion will also qualify to represent Nigeria in the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup.with
