Ali Ishiaku, the goalkeeper for Abia Warriors, has been named the best goalkeeper of the 2024 President Federation Cup.
Despite his team’s loss in the final, Ishiaku’s outstanding performance throughout the tournament earned him this prestigious recognition.
Reflecting on his achievement, Ishiaku expressed mixed emotions. While he is honoured to receive the award, he is disappointed that he has yet to receive the trophy officially.
“The feeling is good, but for now, I’ve only had to receive the trophy because the other goalkeeper came up when they called my name to get the trophy. But I never received anything yet,” he said. Despite this, he remains optimistic and grateful for the acknowledgement of his efforts.
Abia Warriors fought valiantly to reach the finals of the Federation Cup, training rigorously under various conditions to prepare for the competition.
However, their journey ended in disappointment with a narrow loss to El-Kanemi Warriors. Ishiaku expressed his frustration, stating,
“It makes me feel bad because we have worked so hard for this. We trained under the rain, under the sun to get to this and we fought so hard, so well.
But I think that luck is not on our side. So I just don’t know what to say. But I thank God for everything, for no injury and everything. So I believe next season we’ll do well.”
The goalkeeper also took a moment to appreciate the unwavering support from the Abia Warriors fans who travelled to Lagos for the final.
Their presence and encouragement provided a significant morale boost for the team. “For me, they should not feel bad because I know the journey from Abia to Lagos is not easy, but I want to pled with them. They should not relent on us.
They kept up for me to support us because the feeling was good. When I saw them, anytime I saw the cheering for us. It was a good feeling for me. So I believe we’ll make them proud,” Ishiaku said.
Acknowledging the formidable competition they faced, Ishiaku praised El-Kanemi Warriors for their skill and performance in the final match.
Despite the loss, he remains determined and hopeful for the future, promising that Abia Warriors will strive to come back stronger next season.
As Ishiaku looks ahead, he is motivated to build on this experience and improve his game further.
His recognition as the best goalkeeper in the tournament is a testament to his hard work and dedication, and it sets a promising tone for the future of Abia Warriors in Nigerian football.
