Ifeanyi Onyedika, MON, Head Coach of Abakaliki FC, has exclusively told Completesports.com that his team never frets over their opponents in the 2025 President Federation Cup race — even as he admitted that Ikorodu City could be their toughest opponents so far.
Abakaliki FC have edged past three Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) sides on their way to the semi-finals, where they are scheduled to face another NPFL team, Ikorodu City, on Wednesday.
Onyedika, an Africa Cup of Nations winner in 1980 with the then Green Eagles, believes that as long as the pitch is in good condition, his boys will always rise to the occasion. He also revealed that the poor playing surface of their home ground, the Abakaliki Township Stadium, is a major reason the team currently sits at the bottom of the NNL Conference B table.
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“Our position on the NNL table is not giving us any joy at all, more so after our 3-2 defeat at home last weekend by Sporting Lagos,” Onyedika told Completesports.com.
“That loss has pushed us down to the bottom of the table with just four matches left in the season.
“Sometimes, you look at the surface of our home ground, Pa Ngele Oruta Stadium, Abakaliki — it just doesn’t allow the boys the freedom of expression on the pitch.
“We do far better on a smooth pitch — you can attest to that, having seen us play in Awka and at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.”
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Onyedika added: “That’s why we don’t fear any foes when it comes to the FA Cup, because the matches are played on much better pitches.
“That’s how we were able to overcome Enyimba, Katsina United, and Nasarawa United. It has boosted the players’ confidence, and I tell you, we don’t fear any team, no matter their division in the football league.”
Abakaliki FC will face Ikorodu City in a 2025 President Federation Cup semi-final match on Wednesday, 21 May 2025, at the Bwari Stadium, Abuja.
By Sab Osuji
