From worst to best, the Desert Warriors El-kanemi Football Club of Maiduguri beat the Abia Warriors by two goals to nothing in the final of the Presidential Federation Cup.

The biggest team in the state and arguably in the northeast, the El-kanemi Warriors, were relegated to the Nigeria National League last season, but immediately gained promotion into the Nigeria Premier Football League’s (NPFL).

Nasiru Saliu scored a brace in both halftimes of the match in the 31st and 68th minutes, which was played at the Onikan Stadium in Lagos.

Moreover, the Warriors broke the record of 32 years by winning the Presidential Federation Cup, popularly known as the Challenge Cup, by defeating the Abia Warriors by two goals to nothing, which qualified her to be among the Nigerian representatives at the 2024–2025 Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Borno State has been the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency, killing thousands and displaced millions due to crises from all angles in the state, which escalated to the entire North Eastern region of the country.

Since the assumption of Professor Babagana Umara Zulum as the Executive Governor of Borno State, who stands day and night working tirelessly for the restoration of peace in the state as well as youth engagement, the Ministry of Youth Empowerment and Sports Development has successfully motivated and engaged thousands of youth in the state.

The icing on the cake, is the Workaholic Commissioner of the Ministry, Comrade Saiina Buba, who is always doing his best for the revival of sporting activities in the state so as to encourage youths to do away with social vices and all forms of criminal acts.

The Commissioner, Comrade Saina Buba, stood by the team day and night to make sure things were put in order, which resulted in the successes of the team.
Also worthy of note is that, under his watch, the Borno State team never missed any participation in all competitions, and by giving rewards to any team or individual with a medal as a gesture.

Residents in the state capital are full of joy and happiness with the efforts and sacrifices made towards reviving Borno State and its youths back to their lost glory as a home of peace, and they pray for their safe return home.

Immediately after the match, the winner’s trophy and a cheque for fifty million naira were presented to the team’s captain, Zayyard, as the winners of the 2024 Presidential Federation Cup by Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) President

Ibrahim Gusau. Ibrahim Tukur Worker, Team Media, BSSC.