Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Announces Mobolaji Johnson Arena As New Venue for President FA Cup Final.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced that the grand finale of the country’s oldest Cup competition will now take place at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos on Saturday, 29th June, as earlier reported by BSNSports.
Initially scheduled to be held at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, which would have hosted the final for the first time in the competition’s history, the NFF and GTI have decided to return to the historic venue on Lagos Island.
This arena, formerly known as Association Ground, King George V, Lagos City Ground, and Onikan Stadium, has a rich history of hosting the final consecutively between 1945 and 1972. It was renamed Mobolaji Johnson Arena in 2021. The last grand finale at this famous venue occurred in 1972, where Bendel Insurance FC led Mighty Jets FC 2-0 before two late goals by the late Sam Garba Okoye tied the game. The match was replayed two days later at the Liberty Stadium (now Obafemi Awolowo Stadium), Ibadan.
In addition to the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos has hosted several other finals of the competition, now known as the President Federation Cup. The National Stadium, Surulere – built for the 2nd All-Africa Games that Nigeria hosted in 1973 – hosted the grand finale between 1974 and 1987, and in 1990, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002. The Teslim Balogun Stadium, adjacent to the National Stadium in Surulere, hosted the finale in 2007, 2009, and consecutively between 2011 and 2016. The Agege Stadium hosted the 2017 grand finale.
This year’s grand finale will see Rivers Angels confront Naija Ratels in the women’s event, while Abia Warriors take on El-Kanemi Warriors in the men’s event. The anticipation is high as fans look forward to an exciting day of football at the historic Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
