Crown FC and Pacesetter Queens Shine in Thrilling Oyo Federation Cup Finale

It was a fitting and electrifying conclusion to the 2026 Oyo State Federation Cup as Crown FC and Pacesetter Queens emerged worthy champions in a final that delivered excitement, quality football, and unforgettable moments.

Fans who thronged the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, were treated to a double dose of brilliance as both the women’s and men’s finals lived up to expectations, showcasing the growing strength of football in the state.

The women’s final saw a dominant display from Pacesetter Queens, who wasted no time in asserting their authority. Raheem Aisha opened the scoring as early as the 6th minute, setting the tone for what would become a one-sided encounter. Ayantosho Yetunde doubled the lead in the 15th minute before Teslimot Balogun added a third in the 24th minute to give the “Arewa Oyo” a comfortable halftime advantage.

The second half continued in similar fashion, with Ayantosho Yetunde grabbing her brace in the 73rd minute, while Ayobami Moshood sealed an emphatic 5-0 victory deep into stoppage time. The triumph marked a historic first domestic cup title for Pacesetter Queens, underlining their rising status in women’s football.

In the men’s final, it was a more tightly contested affair as Crown FC of Ogbomoso battled Shooting Stars in a gripping encounter. Crown FC drew first blood through David Emmanuel “Kebu” in the 24th minute, taking a slender lead into halftime.

Shooting Stars responded strongly in the second half following tactical changes, eventually finding an equalizer in the 63rd minute to restore parity. With neither side able to find a winner in regulation time, the match proceeded to a tense penalty shootout, where Crown FC held their nerve to secure a 4-2 victory and claim the coveted title.

The competition also recognized standout performers, with individual honours presented to Ayobami Junior of Shooting Stars, Majayogbe Muyiwa of Crown FC, and a player from Mustardseed FC for their exceptional contributions.

The grand finale attracted a host of dignitaries and stakeholders, including Dr. Bolaji Ojo-Oba, Hon. Gbenga Adewusi ‘Arole’, members of the Referees’ Council, Sports Council, Coaches Association, Ministry of Youth and Sports, and other key figures in the football community.

With the conclusion of the state competition, Pacesetter Queens, Dragon Fury Ladies, Shooting Stars, and Crown FC have all secured qualification to represent Oyo State at the prestigious National President Federation Cup, where they will aim to replicate their performances on a bigger stage.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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