Mobi Oparaku, a former Nigeria defender and 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games men’s football gold medallist with Nigeria’s U-23 Dream Team I, has exclusively told Completesports.com that today’s President Federation Cup semi-final matches between Kwara United and Rangers International, as well as Abakaliki FC and Ikorodu City, are bound to be the toughest FA Cup semi-finals he has ever seen.
“I was never involved in the President Federation Cup semi-finals during my playing career,” begins ‘Mobile Mobi’, as he was affectionately called in his playing days.
“But every indication points to the fact that Wednesday’s semi-final matches will be of huge quality and competitiveness.
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“Rangers are a club with a rich history in the cup competition, having won it six times in the past and now looking to claim a seventh title.
“They weren’t too successful in the league despite being the defending champions. But in the cup race, they have brought their experience, quality and determination to bear on the road to the last four.
“Having lost their league title to Remo Stars, the Flying Antelopes—with their avalanche of quality players—will spare no effort in ensuring victory against Kwara United, in a bold bid to secure a place in the 2025/2026 CAF interclub competition.
“However, Kwara United are raging like a dragon, ready to devour. It’s their first FA Cup semi-final appearance in history and they will want to make it count.
“Looking at their determination, commitment, self-motivation and appetite for success, it clearly promises to be a tough and fascinating semi-final match,” Oparaku, a former right-back for the now-defunct Iwuanyanwu Nationale, submitted.
The match takes place at Mobolaji Johnson Arena (MJA), Onikan, Lagos.
In Abuja, at the Bwari Township Stadium, Ikorodu City will go head-to-head with Nigeria National League (NNL) side Abakaliki FC in the other semi-final match. Both teams are making their first-ever semi-final appearance and are pushing for a maiden FA Cup final ticket.
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Mobi Oparaku admitted that Ikorodu City, as an NPFL side, are more experienced, but said the ‘giant-killers’, Abakaliki FC, are a fantastic side—except for their tendency to falter in the final third.
“I watched Ikorodu City FC against Heartland in Owerri. They are a good side, no doubt about that. They have pedigree, being a Premiership side.
“But Abakaliki FC are delightful in their play. They are a very compact team but lack the cutting edge in the final third.
“This inability to convert chances is the reason they are where they are on the NNL table. I watched them against Kun Khalifat in Owerri and I was impressed, except for the fact that they lose scoring ideas in front of goal, which is not good for an ambitious side.
“They must improve on this if they are to reach their destination in the competition. But then, it’s a credit to them to have reached this stage, despite being a second-tier league side,” Mobi concluded.
By Sab Osuji
