The 2016 Federation Cup final will be contested between two debutants – FC IfeanyiUbah and Nasarawa United.
Both teams will be aiming to clinch the prestigious title for the very first time on Sunday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
Aside the obvious honour of winning Nigeria’s oldest club competition, the finalists will be motivated by the prospect of playing on the continent next season.
With all eyes firmly fixed at the last piece of silverware for the season, we take a look at some remarkable facts about the competition.
- Older than Nigeria
The Federation Cup which commenced in 1942 is 18 years older than Nigeria who got her independence in 1960. This year’s final is the 74th edition with ZAC Bombers defeating Services 1-0 in the maiden final.
- 3SC most successful side
Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) with eight titles is the competition’s most decorated team. They are closely followed by the defunct Lagos Railways (7) and Enugu Rangers (5).
- Mighty Jets in more final without winning
Mighty Jets boasts an unwanted record of most final berth and not winning the title. The Jos-based side, who surprisingly clinched the maiden edition of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) in 1972, made it to 10 finals but lost them all.
- Dominated by south-west
The south-west geopolitical zone of the country remains the most successful in the competition. This is probably due to the fact that the competition was initially limited to clubs around that region. Shooting Stars (8), Lagos Railways (7), Stationery Stores (4), Lagos ECN, later renamed NEPA (3), Abiola Babes, Julius Berger and Leventis Stores (2) while three others won it once apiece.
- Six clubs have won the domestic double
Just six sides have been crowned Federation Cup and Nigeria league champions at same time. They are Rangers, Leventis, BBC Lions, Heartland, Dolphins and Enyimba FC.
