President Federation Cup: Mobolaji Johnson Arena To Host Final

The Nigeria Football Federation has moved the grand finale of the country’s oldest Cup competition, President Federation Cup to the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos for Saturday, 29th June.

NFF and GTI announced on Sunday that the final match, originally scheduled for Abuja’s MKO Abiola National Stadium, will now be held at the Lagos Island venue.

Onikan Stadium’s history stretches back to its original name, Association Ground. Renamed King George V and later Lagos City Ground, the venue underwent a major rebuild in the 1980s, earning its current moniker, Mobolaji Johnson Arena in 2021.

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The last grand finale to take place at the famous venue was also a memorable one. In 1972, Bendel Insurance FC built a 2-0 lead over Mighty Jets FC. But the late Sam Garba Okoye fought back for Mighty Jets with two late goals, forcing a replay two days later at the Liberty Stadium (now known as the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium) in Ibadan.

Apart from the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on the waterfront, the City of Lagos has hosted several other finals of the competition now known as President Federation Cup. The National Stadium, Surulere – built for the 2nd All-Africa Games that Nigeria hosted in 1973 – hosted the grand finale between 1974 and 1987, as well as the 1990, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 finals.

The Teslim Balogun Stadium, adjacent to the National Stadium in Surulere, hosted the finale in 2007 and 2009, and then consecutively between 2011 and 2016.

The Agege Stadium hosted the 2017 grand finale.

This year’s grand finale will see Rivers Angels confront Naija Ratels in the women’s event, while Abia Warriors take on El-Kanemi Warriors in the men’s event.