Big midfielder Josephine Mathias will be the cynosure of all eyes when Rivers Angels and Nasarawa Amazons clash in the final of the women’s 2025 President Federation Cup at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Saturday.
Six years ago, Mathias, who had just returned from a brief spell in Turkey, with Trabzon idmanocagi, teamed up with Rivers Angels Football Club of Port Harcourt. She was a member of the squad that lost to Nasarawa Amazons in the final of the Nigeria FA Cup competition in Kaduna in 2019.
Today, Mathias is the captain of the Amazons, and much will be expected of her as the girls from Nasarawa confront Cup holders and multiple winners Rivers Angels in the final at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
Last year, the girls from Garden City were properly stretched in their game against Naija Ratels FC of Abuja at the same venue, but won 1-0 for their 9th title.
That victory somewhat made up for their painful loss to arch-rivals Bayelsa Queens in the 2023 final, when both teams needed a penalty shootout to find the difference at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.
That defeat, and the loss to Nasarawa Amazons at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna six years ago, remain one of the very few times that the Jewels of Rivers have ended the season without the Nigeria FA Cup in their kitty.
Now coached by Tosan Blankson, Rivers Angels sizzled past Ilorin-based Moje Queens 7-0 and First Mahi Babes from Abakaliki 5-0 in the earlier rounds, before outlasting Remo Stars Ladies 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time in the quarter finals, and piping fit-fighting Ibom Angels 1-0 in the semi-finals.
On their part, Lafia-based Amazons decisioned Kwara Ladies 6-0 in the Round of 32, edged 2023 winners Bayelsa Queens 2-1 in the Round of 16, grilled Sunshine Queens for four un-replied goals in the quarter finals and sent Edo Queens packing by two goals in the semi-finals.
The Amazons will miss the services of first-choice goalkeeper Rachael Unachukwu and defender Sikiratu Isah, who are both with the Super Falcons in Morocco for the 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations, but they have Mathias, defenders Jumoke Alani and Oluchi Ohaegbulem, midfielders Aminat Bello, Shola Shobowale and Yina Adoo, and forward Janet Akekoromowei who have also tasted action at different national team levels.
Jewels, on their part, are bolstered by goalkeeper Anderline Mgbechi, midfield pearl Taiwo Afolabi and junior internationals Peace Effiong, Motunrayo Ezekiel and Chidera Okenwa.
In the men’s final, Kwara United’s goal-machine Wasiu Alalade is the man ball fans will look out for when the clash between the Afonja Warriors and Abakaliki FC rolls off by 4pm. Alalade is a symbol of utmost dedication, great marksmanship and resilience at the fore.
United also have seasoned goalkeeper Suraju Aiyeleso, Isa Gatta, Adamu Abubakar and Wasiu Jimoh.
Abakaliki FC will pin their hopes on goalkeeper Pascal Elochukwu, Cyril Timothy, Chisom Ogbu, Ejike Nwafor, Collins Kalu and Chukwudi Okoro.