Kwara United Still Waiting for Prize Money as 2026 Finalists Are Announced

Defending champions Kwara United are still waiting for the N50 million prize money they were promised for winning last year’s President Federation Cup. This is despite the fact that the finalists for the 2026 edition have now been announced, according to The PUNCH.

Kwara United, also known as the Harmony Boys, won Nigeria’s oldest football trophy in 2025. They defeated Abakaliki FC 4-3 on penalties in Lagos. But a year later, the club based in Ilorin has not received the financial reward for their victory.

Sources close to the club told The PUNCH that they have not heard anything from the Nigeria Football Federation about the payment.

“It has not been paid, and there has been silence since we won. There has been nothing to say, this is what we are getting. Even the players had to move on and focus on football eventually,” a source from the club said. This person chose to remain anonymous because they were not allowed to speak on the issue.

Attempts to get comments from the NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, and the federation’s Director of Competitions, Ruth David, were unsuccessful. They had not responded to inquiries by the time this report was filed.

While this issue remains unresolved, attention is now on this year’s competition. Ikorodu City and El-Kanemi Warriors have made it to the men’s final, which is set for July 11 in Asaba.

At the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Ikorodu City continued their impressive run. They defeated Nasarawa United 4-2 on penalties after both teams played a 1-1 draw during regular time.

This result brought more pain to Nasarawa United in the competition. The Solid Miners faced heartbreak again at the penalty spot, just five years after losing the 2021 final to Bayelsa United.

In Katsina, three-time champions El-Kanemi Warriors secured their second straight appearance in the final. They beat Wikki Tourists 3-1 in their semi-final match.

In the women’s competition, Heartland Queens will face Nasarawa Amazons for the title after both teams won their semi-final matches.

Heartland Queens made it to the final for the first time in their history. They achieved this with a 2-1 victory over FC Robo Queens in Benin City. Meanwhile, Nasarawa Amazons also secured their place in the final for the second year in a row after beating Sunshine Queens 2-1 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.