Nigeria's Pillar of Sports Congratulates Kwara United, over President Federation Cup Victory; Commends Governor Abdulrazaq.



The Nigeria's Pillar of Sports, Chief Donatus Agu-Ejidike (JP) has congratulated Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin, for their victory over Abakaliki FC, in this year's President Federation Cup Final on Saturday, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan Lagos. This was contained in Press Release, issued, and signed by the Chairman, office of the Nigeria's Pillar of Sports, Prince Ajide Olayioye, and made available to news men on Sunday in Ilorin. 

Kwara United were unable to breach the defence of the "Rice Boys" of Abakaliki (as the team is fondly called by their supporters) for the duration, and the match resulted in penalty shootout, which saw the Ebonyi boys fail to convert 2, but the Harmony warriors converted 4 of theirs, after a ninety-minute action failed to produce a goal from either side. 

The two sides were making their, respective maiden appearances in the final of the oldest, and the biggest cup competition in Nigeria. The first, and the last time a team from Kwara State played in the final until this Saturday was in 1976 when Aliyu Salam Rock took on Rangers International FC of Enugu, and lost to Flying Antelooes, by 0-2.

The Nnewi-born Sports philanthropist described Kwara United's victory as a monumental achievement, that is unprecedented in the history of football in the State. He also congratulated the executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, for the epoch-making victory that happened under his administration, through his commitment to, and passion for Sports development. He noted that, the victory would not have been possible if not for the massive investment of the by the State Government, since Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq assumed the mantle of leadership in the State. Ejidike also commend the efforts of other critical stakeholders in the State, like the Chairman, Kwara State Sports Commission Coach Bola Magaji; the chairman, Kwara State Football Association, Mallam Idris Abdullahi Musa Thuraya; the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Kwara State chapter; the management and technical crew of Kwara United Football Club; the different groups of supporters, among others who are too numerous to mention, while not forgetting the the players of Kwara United. 

Ejidike, who is also a  former President of the Karate Federation of Nigeria (KFN) urged them not to lose guard, as this is the best time to start preparation for the continental competition (the CAF Confederation Cup) for which the team have qualified, as there is no time to relax. The task ahead is bigger than the one they just finished; they should therefore not relax or over-celebrate the victory and lose sight of the bigger task of representing the country on the continent. 

The Anambra-born Pillar of Sports also congratulates the players, coaches, management, and fans of Abakaliki FC, a lower league side, who made some giant-killing strides, dispatching many Premier league sides on their way to the final, for putting up a great fight before they succumbed to the inevitability of a winner emerging, after a penalty shootout, saying that, "they were defeated, but not disgraced". He urged the team, especially, the players not to be deterred by the loss, but to remain focused instead, saying that, they just demonstrated that they have what it takes to play for any club at any level.

Ejidike equally congratulates Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt, who won the Women President Federation Cup, by defeating Nasarawa Amazons 4-2 on penalties, after the match eneded 2-2 in regulation time. He described the ladies from Port Harcourt as serial winners who have done what they know how to do best. 

The patron of the Nigerian Football Supporters Club (NFSC) also applauded the National Sports Commission, Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and their partners GTI, for what he describes as "successful completion 

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