Lagos’ Mobolaji Johnson Arena to host 2024 President Federation Cup final

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

In a recent twist, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced a change in the venue of the 2024 President Federation Cup.

The MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja was initially scheduled to host the final match of the men’s and women’s President Federation Cup (the oldest football tournaments in the country) but the NFF announced that the venue will no longer host the grande finale.

Instead, the competition will now take place at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos on Saturday, 29^th June.

First known as Association Ground, then as King George V, and later as Lagos City Ground, the venue later became known as Onikan Stadium after it was rebuilt in the 1980s. It became known as Mobolaji Johnson Arena in 2021.

The last grand finale to take place at the famous venue was also a memorable one. In 1972, Bendel Insurance FC led Mighty Jets FC 2-0 before two late goals by the late Sam Garba Okoye tied the game, and it had to be replayed two days later at the Liberty Stadium (now known as the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium), 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 the President Federation Cup.

The National Stadium, Surulere – built for the 2^nd 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.

This will be the 18th time that the Cup final will be hosted in Lagos either at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, National Stadium, Surulere, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, or the Agege Township stadium.

Abia Warriors and El-Kanemi Warriors will face off in the men’s final while Rivers Angels will tackle Naija Ratels FC in the women’s final.