El-Kanemi Warriors added another memorable chapter to their history after defeating Ikorodu City 1-0 to win the 2026 President Federation Cup final in Asaba on Saturday.

The decisive moment came early in the encounter when Muktar Ismail confidently converted a penalty in the 13th minute, giving the Maiduguri-based side a lead they successfully protected until the final whistle.

Despite pressure from Ikorodu City throughout the game, El-Kanemi Warriors maintained their defensive discipline to secure the victory.

The triumph marks the club’s fourth President Federation Cup title, further strengthening their reputation as one of the competition’s most successful teams.

It is also their second Federation Cup success in the last three seasons, highlighting their consistency in knockout football.

Winning the prestigious trophy also guarantees El-Kanemi Warriors a place in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup, where they will represent Nigeria alongside Shooting Stars.

The continental qualification presents another opportunity for the club to showcase its quality against some of Africa’s top teams.

For Ikorodu City, the defeat brought a frustrating end to what had been an encouraging campaign. The Lagos-based side had narrowly missed out on qualifying for continental football through the Nigeria Premier Football League, making the Federation Cup final their final chance to secure an African ticket.

Although they fell short of lifting the trophy, Ikorodu City’s journey to the final demonstrated the club’s growing competitiveness on the national stage.

As celebrations continue in Maiduguri, El-Kanemi Warriors will now shift their attention to preparing for the CAF Confederation Cup, aiming to build on their domestic success and make a strong impression in continental competition.