Nigeria’s Historic Football Competition Adopts New Name: President Federation Cup
In a historic announcement, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and GTI unveiled a new name for Nigeria’s oldest football competition.
The knock-out tournament, previously known by various names throughout its illustrious history, will now be called the President Federation Cup.
This marks the sixth time that the competition has undergone a name change since its inception in 1945 as the Governor’s Cup. Over the years, the competition has evolved and adapted to reflect the dynamic landscape of Nigerian football.
The decision to rename the competition was made following the national draw for the Round of 64, conducted on Thursday, signifying a fresh chapter in the tournament’s legacy.
The journey of the competition’s nomenclature dates back to 1955 when it was renamed the All Nigeria Challenge Cup during the Annual General Meeting of the then Nigeria Football Association (NFA).
Throughout its storied history, the competition has been known by various names, including the Coca-Cola FA Cup in 1996 for sponsorship reasons, and later as the Federation Cup from 2008 following a new naming convention adopted by the NFF.
Subsequent name changes occurred in 2017 when the competition was branded as the ‘AITEO Cup’ after the NFF conferred naming rights to the AITEO Group.
The recent name change to the President Federation Cup symbolizes a blend of tradition and modernity, highlighting the competition’s enduring legacy while embracing new beginnings.
The adoption of this new name underscores the NFF’s commitment to promoting football excellence and fostering a vibrant football culture in Nigeria.
As the seventh name in its history, the President Federation Cup embodies the spirit of competition, unity, and progress within Nigeria’s football community.
Nigerian Football enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the upcoming edition of the tournament under its new name, celebrating the rich heritage and passion that define Nigerian football.