Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has hosted the victorious Kwara United Football Club, following their historic triumph in the 2025 President’s Federation Cup.
The governor also received the club’s U-19 team, which recently emerged as champions of the inaugural National Youth League.
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As part of his appreciation for their achievements, Mr AbdulRazaq gifted each player of the Kwara United senior team ₦5 million and a plot of land at the exclusive Kwara Smart City, praising them for bringing pride to the state.
Kwara United clinched the Federation Cup title after defeating Abakaliki FC in a dramatic penalty shootout, following a 90-minute deadlock.
The team made a grand entrance into Ilorin on Monday afternoon, welcomed by cheering residents who lined the streets from Eiyenkorin to the banquet hall in the Government Reserved Area (GRA), where the official reception was held.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including the Chairman of the Kwara House of Assembly Committee on Sports, Hon. Rukayat Shittu; Member representing Shawo/Essa Constituency, Hon. Yusuf Abdulwaheed Gbenga; cabinet members; Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Princess Olubukola Babalola; Chairman, Kwara State Sports Commission, Coach Bola Magaji; Chairman, Kwara United FC, Kumbi Titiloye; Chairman, Kwara State Football Association, Malam Abdullahi Musa Thuraya; Head Coach Tunde Sanni; APC Chieftain, Alhaji Yahya Seriki; among others.
“This is the biggest trophy in Nigerian football today, even bigger than the League Cup. It has existed long before the League itself was formed, and today the trophy is in Kwara. I must congratulate everyone who made this possible,” Mr AbdulRazaq said during the reception.
He reflected on the club’s transformation since his administration assumed office in 2019, recalling that at the time, the team faced financial challenges, including unpaid salaries.
“Our administration is dedicating this trophy to the memory of Alhaji Yusuf Salami, who spent his personal wealth trying to bring this trophy to Kwara but never succeeded. May Allah grant him Aljannah Firdaus,” the governor added.
Mr AbdulRazaq commended the players, Coach Magaji, Kumbi Titiloye, and the entire management team for their dedication to reviving the club’s fortunes.
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In their separate remarks, Coach Magaji and Kumbi Titiloye expressed gratitude to the governor for his unwavering support and significant investments in the team, which they said had paved the way for the club’s recent successes.
