Abakaliki FC head coach, Starplus Izuikem Anistar, has exclusively told Completesports.com that the ‘Rice Boys’ have completed the signing of six new players to strengthen their squad, as they intensify their push for promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) at the end of the 2025/2026 Nigeria National League (NNL) season.
Abakaliki FC currently sit third in the NNL Conference B standings with 15 points from nine matches as the second-tier league went into its mid-season break.
Akwa United lead the table with 19 points, while Sporting FC Lagos occupy second place with 17 points.
Abakaliki FC Promotion Ambition Under Coach Anistar
Coach Anistar previously guided Coal City United of Enugu to the Nigeria National League from the Nationwide League One in the 2023/2024 season before taking charge of Abakaliki FC ahead of the 2024/2025 campaign. That season saw the Ebonyi State side reach the President Federation Cup final, where they lost narrowly to Kwara United.
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After just one match into the 2025/2026 season, former Head Coach and ex-international, Ifeanyi Onyedika, was relieved of his duties, with the club entrusting its technical direction to Anistar, who is widely regarded as one of the country’s top grassroots coaches.
Abakaliki FC Address Squad Weaknesses Ahead Of Second Stanza
With the second round of the NNL set to commence in the coming weeks, Coach Anistar revealed that a careful assessment of the squad exposed key areas that required reinforcement.
“First, you’ll understand that our objective is to secure promotion to the Premier League,” Anistar told Completesports.com on Sunday morning.
“Presently, we are third on the Conference B table and we believe that with a little more effort in the second stanza, we can reach our dream destination — the NPFL.
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“We thoroughly evaluated our performances in the first round and discovered that we needed to strengthen our midfield and attack. We also needed more solidity on the left side of the defence. These issues have been addressed and we are now looking forward to the league’s restart.”
The Rice Boys’ New Signings Unveiled As Squad Resumes Training
Pressed to disclose the identities of the new arrivals, Anistar confirmed that the team resumed training last Monday and that the players were recruited from NPFL and fellow NNL clubs.
“We signed Oforkansi Michael, a midfielder, from Lobi Stars, and Kemka-Gbasam Emmanuel, an attacker, from Willbros FC,” the young tactician said.
“Nnachi Diamond, also an attacker, has joined us from Enyimba. David Dennis, an attacker, arrived from Akwa United, while Edeh Ifeanyi, another attacker, joined from Giant Brillers. We also signed central defender Oluwafemi Ladeinde from Sporting Lagos.”
By Sab Osuji
