Redemption Complete: A Decade After Heartbreak, Coach Kabiru Dogo Finally Lifts President Federation Cup

Redemption Complete: A Decade After Heartbreak, Coach Kabiru Dogo Finally Lifts President Federation Cup

By Yemi Sodeeq

Ten years after suffering the agony of defeat in his first President Federation Cup final, coach Kabiru Dogo finally fulfilled his long-standing ambition on Saturday, leading El-Kanemi Warriors to a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Ikorodu City FC to win the 2026 President Federation Cup.

Dogo's triumph in Asaba erased the painful memories of the 2016 final when his Nasarawa United side lost 5-4 on penalties to Ifeanyi Ubah after a goalless draw, denying him what would have been his first major domestic trophy.

Speaking after the historic victory, an emotional Dogo expressed gratitude for finally achieving the feat that had eluded him for a decade.

"I am very happy to win the cup now. In 2016, when I was with Nasarawa United, we played against Ifeanyi Ubah but lost in the final on penalty shootouts. To come back years later and finally win it is a great feeling," he said.

The veteran tactician also praised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), tournament stakeholders, and his players for making the competition a success.

"I thank God for the success of the competition, and I want to congratulate the NFF and all the stakeholders. I also congratulate my team. We played one of the best teams in the league today in Ikorodu City, but we were the better side and the lucky side, and that's why we emerged victorious."

Dogo's victory continues the remarkable dominance of coaches from Kwara State in Nigeria's oldest football competition, with Kwara-born tacticians now winning three consecutive editions of the President Federation Cup.

Aliyu Zubair guided El-Kanemi Warriors to the title in 2024, while Coach Tunde Sanni led Kwara United to glory in 2025 before Dogo completed the hat-trick of successive triumphs for Kwara coaches with El-Kanemi Warriors' 2026 success.

Reflecting on the achievement, Dogo attributed the success to the abundance of coaching talent from the state and paid glowing tribute to his predecessor at El-Kanemi Warriors, Aliyu Zubair, who guided the Maiduguri club to the 2024 title.

"The secret is that we have talented coaches in Kwara and we are blessed. I have to acknowledge Coach Aliyu Zubair for laying a good foundation by winning it in 2024 with El-Kanemi Warriors. We are building on what he started, and I wish all of us the very best in our coaching careers."

Having ended his spell with El-Kanemi Warriors on a high, Dogo confirmed that he will take charge of Niger Tornadoes ahead of the 2026/27 season.

"Life is all about changes. I am fulfilled because I have finished my assignment with El-Kanemi Warriors. Next season, I will be with Niger Tornadoes, and I believe this victory and achievement will motivate me to achieve success there as well."

The victory not only secured El-Kanemi Warriors another President Federation Cup title but also ensured Dogo finally took his place among the elite group of Nigerian coaches to have won the country's most prestigious domestic cup competition—a dream that took ten years to become reality.

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