Kabiru Dogo, the head coach of El-Kanemi Warriors FC, has expressed immense pride in his players following their dramatic round of 16 victory over Bendel Insurance FC in the 2026 President's Federation Cup. The match took place on Saturday in Abuja, where El-Kanemi Warriors secured a quarter-final berth by defeating Bendel Insurance 8-7 on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw in regulation time at the FIFA Goal Project Pitch of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
Remarkable Comeback
Bendel Insurance dominated the first half and built a commanding 3-0 lead. However, El-Kanemi Warriors mounted a remarkable comeback after the break, scoring three goals to level the contest before triumphing in the penalty shootout. Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Dogo described his players' performance as fantastic and congratulated them for their determination and fighting spirit.
Coach's Reaction
I congratulate my boys for this well-deserved victory. We were 3-0 down at half-time, but after the break the team came out well prepared. We fought back to make it 3-1, then 3-2, and eventually 3-3 before winning on penalties, Dogo said. He added that his players showed great desire in the second half, stating: They came all out and showed how much they wanted the victory. The miracle of that match was repeated here today.
Dogo emphasized that any team reaching the quarter-finals should be considered a contender for the title. He expressed confidence in his team's ability to compete anywhere, stressing that as a Nigerian Premier League (NPFL) side, El-Kanemi Warriors can perform against any opposition provided the right atmosphere exists.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead to the next round, Dogo said the team was awaiting confirmation of the venue and date from the organisers, adding that they remained focused and ready for the challenge ahead. Reflecting on the match, he admitted his side started slowly but recovered strongly, and noted that success in tournaments is determined by how teams finish rather than how they start. He concluded by praising both teams for producing an entertaining contest and credited his players for their outstanding effort.
Quarter-Final Fixtures
El-Kanemi Warriors will now face Sokoto United in the quarter-finals as the race for the 2026 President's Federation Cup title intensifies. In other round of 16 results, Sokoto United defeated Adamawa United 2-0, while Wikki Tourists overcame Kada Warriors 3-1. Flight FC edged Bida Lions 1-0, Nasarawa United eliminated Rivers United 5-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Plateau United beat FC Basira 2-1, Ikorodu City knocked out Enyimba International FC 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw, while Barau FC secured a 2-1 victory over Sunshine Stars U-19 of Akure.
The quarter-final fixtures are as follows: Sokoto United FC vs El-Kanemi Warriors FC, Wikki Tourists FC vs Flight FC, Nasarawa United FC vs Plateau United FC, and Ikorodu City FC vs Barau FC.
