Kwara United FC on Sunday, April 26, 2026, emerged champions of the Kwara FA Flow FM Federation Cup, after defeating Ga’a Akanbi FC 2-0 in the final played at the Rashidi Yekini Main-Bowl of the George Agbazika Innih Stadium Complex, Ilorin.
Goals from Johnmark Aule in the 11th minute and Alao Mohammed three minutes later sealed victory for the Harmony Boys, condemning the first time finalists to defeat.
Ga’a Akanbi had earlier edged past ABS FC via penalty shootout in the semi-final to book their place in the final, while Kwara United thrashed KWAITA FC 7-1 to reach the final9 showdown.
In the female final, Model Queens defeated Moje Queens of Erin-Ile by a lone goal, to win the trophy.
Speaking after the match, Coach Ashifat Suleiman said the competition had helped prepare the team for national assignments as they target a successful defence of the President Federation Cup title won last year.
According to him, retaining the state title is a morale booster ahead of the next phase of the championship.
Coach Suleiman also expressed confidence in the club’s league ambitions, saying the team is determined to secure six points from their remaining three matches.
Kwara United will face Niger Tornadoes in Minna on Matchday 36, host Enyimba FC in Matchday 37, before travelling to Yenagoa for their final game against Bayelsa United FC.
Meanwhile, football stakeholders have commended the Kwara Football Association for securing sponsorship for the state FA Cup competition with Stefolga/Flow FM, describing it as a strategic partnership capable of boosting football development in the state.
The commendations came during the final of the 2026 Kwara FA Flow FM Federation Cup held at the Rashidi Yekini Main-Bowl of the George Agbazika Innih Stadium Complex, Ilorin.
Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Mallam Bola Mogaji, said the collaboration and professional organisation of the competition would attract more sponsors and partners as football continues to grow in the state.
Also speaking, former Commissioner in the state and Olympian, Hammed Adio, described the smooth organisation of this year’s competition in partnership with Flow FM as evident in the large turnout of spectators who witnessed the final.
He praised the peaceful atmosphere at the stadium and urged stakeholders to sustain it in future editions.
Earlier, retired FIFA referee and former Kwara FA Chairman, Emmanuel Dada Obafemi, said attracting partners to support football is a global practice that would fast-track grassroots football development if sustained.
Former Director of Sports, Coach Tunde Kazeem, General Manager of Kwara United, Mallam Bashir Badawiy, and Director of Football, ABS FC, Chief Alloy Chukwuemeka, also praised Engr. Femi Sanni for his investment in football, noting that such initiatives are vital to modern football development.
Speaking through his representative, Professor Olanrewaju Ibrahim, Engr. Sanni said the decision to partner with the FA was aimed at giving back to society and empowering youths through football.
He added that Stefolga would continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders in promoting grassroots football to globally accepted standards and best practices.
The final was attended by the Chairman of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service, Mrs Shade Omoniyi, a member of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. JK Yusuf, Chairmen of Local Government Football Councils, among others.
In his own reactions, the Chairman of the Kwara State Football Association, Mallam Idris Abdullahi Musa Thuraya declared its readiness for more partnerships and collaborations aimed at advancing football development from the grassroots level.
Mallam Idris Musa explained that the association is open to accommodating more partners to complement its drive for football growth, describing the current partnership with Stefolga Flow FM as strategic and a pathway for other corporate organisations and individuals to key into football development.
He noted that the partnership helped reduce financial burdens on participating teams, as jerseys and other kits were provided through the sponsorship arrangement. According to him, this gesture will encourage more teams to participate in future editions.
The FA chairman added that the association remains committed to giving all participating teams equal opportunities to showcase their talents, citing the drive by Ga’a Akanbi FC in the competition.
He also dismissed claims of favouritism regarding the participation of only four teams in this year’s competition, insisting that the emergence of Ga’a Akanbi as one of the representatives has vindicated the association and will inspire more clubs to participate next year.
The Kwara FA Flow FM Cup concluded on a colourful note, with instant cash rewards of N500,000, N300,000 for the men catogory, and N200,000 and N100k, 000 for the female finalists respectively.
