By ADERONKE OJO

El-Kanemi Warriors Football Club advanced to the round of 16 of the ongoing 2026 President Federation Cup after a 4-3 penalty shootout win over Akwa United FC on Monday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that the match ended 1-1 after 90 minutes of tight, cagey football that saw both sides cancel each other out in midfield for long spells.

The match played at the FIFA Goal Project football Pitch of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, saw El-Kanemi keeping possession and forcing Akwa United to sit back.

Akwa United’s first real chance came in the 7th minute when Gotom Daniel drove from the right and crossed into the six-yard box, but the ball struck the side net.

In the 17th minute they won a free kick 26 yards out, which resulted in a corner, but El-Kanemi’s defence stood firm.

Both teams then settled for midfield possession exchanges until the halftime ended goalless.

On resumption of the second half , both teams followed a similar pattern until the 71st minute when El-Kanemi broke the deadlock.

A free kick from the right flank swung in by Risilanu Ismail found its way into net to put the Borno side 1-0.

Akwa United responded with urgency. In the 83rd minute, Ubong Sunday rose highest to head in from a free kick and leveled the scores at 1-1 till the final whistle to force the game to penalties.

In the shootout,El Kanemi Warriors goalkeeper saved one penalty, while Akwa United’s keeper also made one save. Akwa United missed two spot kicks in total, handing El-Kanemi the win and a place in the next round.

Speaking after the match, Paul Offor , head coach of Akwa United, admitted his side failed to take their chances.

“It was a good match. They are a good team in spite of what happened. We did not take our chances when we were expected to, and that caused our loss.

“ We started very well. We got punished for missing our chances, and also our penalty shootout today wasn’t good enough. So, congratulations to them,” he said.

He added that Akwa United are still rebuilding after relegation: “This is our first season in the Nigeria National League (NNL).

“ We missed promotion by one point.When we got relegated, a lot of players left, and there was also a lot of restructuring in the management with the former chairman now the Commissioner for Sports.

“ We will take this first season as a lesson to getting to know each other, reactions, and how to tolerate each other. I believe we will do a lot better in the second season,” he said.

On his side , Kabiru Dogo ,El-Kanemi Warriors head coach praised his players in spite of the travel difficulties

“In spite of logistics problems, we had to enter Abuja by 5 a.m. today and still managed to get to this point.

“ I want to give credit to my players. As far as the game is concerned, the two teams did well,” he said .

El-Kanemi Warriors will now await their Round of 16 opponent as the President Federation Cup continues. (NAN)

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