Federation Cup: Abia Warriors and El-Kanemi Warriors confident of victory
Ambitious Abia Warriors became the first of the four finalists in the 2024 Federation Cup grand finale to arrive in Lagos and Coach Bethel Orji does not doubt that his Umuahia giants will come good on Saturday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
“We are here and we’re highly motivated. We are all elated. I thank God for the turnaround in the fortunes of the team, and I am delighted to be playing my first Cup final as a coach,” Orji told thenff.com in Lagos on Wednesday.
A great player and former Cup winner himself, Bethel Orji will be banking on the precision of forwards Samson Obi and Sunday Megwo when Abia Warriors confront the two-time champions at the Lagos Waterfront on Saturday evening.
“We are prepared for the game, physically, mentally and psychologically. The players are in high spirits; they are raring to go.”
Abia Warriors reached the men’s final of the Federation Cup four days after ensuring they will play in the Nigeria Premier Football League for the 12th consecutive season, come next season.
Elsewhere, Technical Adviser Aliyu Zubairu has credited hard work for his team’s progress into the men’s final of this year’s Federation Cup and believes the same virtue will see the Maiduguri landlords pick up their third Nigeria Cup title in Lagos on Saturday.
“Hard work has been our mainstay. Everyone works for the other, including the players on the pitch. It was a tough league season, and our real objective at the beginning of the season was to gain promotion back to the NPFL. However, after the Round of 16, we suddenly realized that with more hard work, we could go all the way to the final.
“I commend the players for not only ensuring promotion back to the top flight but also reaching the President Federation Cup final. Yet, it is not over until it is over. We are here and we are determined to wrest the title. We have had some days to rest and we are going to work hard to deliver the trophy to our number one supporter, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum.”
