Federation Cup Final - Kwara United vs Abakaliki FC - KWARA win it (4-3) on PK - & Kwara U19 win youth Cup

[Sunset]

https://twitter.com/search?q=abakaliki&src=typed_query

[TonyTheTigerKiller]

Abakaliki FC looks very smooth. I thought I heard Ifeanyi Onyedika’s name mentioned. I wonder if he’s their coach


Cheers.

[mcal]

...he's the coach. Done well too.
For those still trying to decode the incredible rise of Abakaliki FC — the relatively obscure club from Ebonyi State that has bulldozed its way into the men’s final of this year’s President Federation Cup — the answer lies in one name: Ifeanyi Onyedika.

A football man to the core, Onyedika is no stranger to glory. Long before leading this year’s underdog sensation, the veteran coach had carved a name for himself in Nigerian football history, first as a striker of high pedigree, and later as a tactical master on the sidelines.

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Onyedika’s credentials are cast in gold. A key figure in Nigeria’s historic 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad, he was already a household name before the current generation of footballers laced their first boots. But his legend only grew in domestic football.

In 1981, Onyedika etched his name into Nigeria’s Cup folklore, scoring a crucial goal for Enugu Rangers as they exacted sweet revenge on Bendel Insurance — the same team that had humiliated them 3-0 in the 1978 final. The venue? The iconic National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos. Onyedika’s strike, following Emmanuel Osigwe’s opener, sealed a memorable 2-0 triumph for the Flying Antelopes.

Two years later, he was back at the same venue, helping Rangers lift the National Cup after a nail-biting penalty shootout win over DIC Bees of Kaduna.

Fast-forward to 2006, and Onyedika, now wearing the coach’s hat, guided Dolphin FC of Port Harcourt to Federation Cup glory. Again, Bendel Insurance were the victims — this time falling 5-3 on penalties after a dramatic 2-2 draw at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta. The very next year, he did it again, this time defeating his former club, Enugu Rangers, in a 3-2 shootout win after another deadlocked final in Lagos.

Now, nearly two decades later, Onyedika is scripting yet another football fairytale — this time with little-known Abakaliki FC. Against all odds, the modest club has vanquished heavyweights Katsina United, Enyimba FC, Nasarawa United, and Ikorodu City to book their place in the final. Their rise has captured the hearts of fans across the nation, who have dubbed them this season’s “giant killers.”

But for Onyedika, this is more than just another chapter — it’s a legacy in motion. His presence on the touchline brings a sense of destiny. With five Federation Cup finals under his belt — two as a player and three as a coach — few would bet against him pulling off yet another masterstroke.

As Abakaliki FC prepares for Saturday’s showdown, the big question looms: Will Onyedika’s cup magic strike again? Nigeria watches with bated breath.
https://www.sports247.ng/cup-sorcerer-o ... cup-final/

[Sunset]

Abakaliki FC looks very smooth. I thought I heard Ifeanyi Onyedika’s name mentioned. I wonder if he’s their coach


Cheers.

He is!

[TonyTheTigerKiller]

Now why won’t someone like Ifeanyi Onyedika be given serious consideration for a national team coaching position

https://www.sports247.ng/cup-sorcerer-o ... cup-final/


Cheers.

[Sunset]

[ukwala]

Now why won’t someone like Ifeanyi Onyedika be given serious consideration for a national team coaching position

https://www.sports247.ng/cup-sorcerer-o ... -march-to- federation-cup-final/


Cheers.

Funny enough they were relegated from division 2 (NNL) to division 3 (NLS) this season. Difficult to fathom given their form in the President Federation cup

[jette1]

Which one is president federation cup again; is this the previous challenge cup/ our version of fa cup

[Damunk]

Now why won’t someone like Ifeanyi Onyedika be given serious consideration for a national team coaching position

https://www.sports247.ng/cup-sorcerer-o ... -march-to- federation-cup-final/


Cheers.

Funny enough they were relegated from division 2 (NNL) to division 3 (NLS) this season. Difficult to fathom given their form in the President Federation cup

Thats the beauty of cup competitions the world over: the underdog claiming a major scalp in a one-off.
If it keeps going it becomes like a fairy tale come true for the players, the coach, their fans and stories like this captivate the nation.
Well done to Abakaliki FC.

[Enugu II]

Now why won’t someone like Ifeanyi Onyedika be given serious consideration for a national team coaching position

https://www.sports247.ng/cup-sorcerer-o ... -march-to- federation-cup-final/


Cheers.

Funny enough they were relegated from division 2 (NNL) to division 3 (NLS) this season. Difficult to fathom given their form in the President Federation cup

Thats the beauty of cup competitions the world over: the underdog claiming a major scalp in a one-off.
If it keeps going it becomes like a fairy tale come true for the players, the coach, their fans and stories like this captivate the nation.
Well done to Abakaliki FC.

Damunk


I think that for this run, the Manager was a big part of it. Onyedika had done wonders at Dolphins but was ignored for jobs for a while. Many people wondered why. That someone like him will be managing a team like Abakaliki is a surprise tbh. Yet, he is able to show his mettle. The run to the Federation Cup championship game was no easy either as he took on and overcame multiple NPFL teams. Kudos to him and hopefully, these NPFL sides will be serious in looking for capable managers like him.

His story is one of overcoming tall odds even when he was playing. However, that story is one for another day.

[Damunk]

Now why won’t someone like Ifeanyi Onyedika be given serious consideration for a national team coaching position

https://www.sports247.ng/cup-sorcerer-o ... -march-to- federation-cup-final/


Cheers.

Funny enough they were relegated from division 2 (NNL) to division 3 (NLS) this season. Difficult to fathom given their form in the President Federation cup

Thats the beauty of cup competitions the world over: the underdog claiming a major scalp in a one-off.
If it keeps going it becomes like a fairy tale come true for the players, the coach, their fans and stories like this captivate the nation.
Well done to Abakaliki FC.

Damunk


I think that for this run, the Manager was a big part of it. Onyedika had done wonders at Dolphins but was ignored for jobs for a while. Many people wondered why. That someone like him will be managing a team like Abakaliki is a surprise tbh. Yet, he is able to show his mettle. The run to the Federation Cup championship game was no easy either as he took on and overcame multiple NPFL teams. Kudos to him and hopefully, these NPFL sides will be serious in looking for capable managers like him.

His story is one of overcoming tall odds even when he was playing. However, that story is one for another day.

It’s a great story and I look forward to you telling his personal story.
Ifeanyi Onyedika should not be a new name to anyone that didn’t start following Nigerian football yesterday.

When did he take over the team, because it’s been reported that they’ve just been relegated to the third tier of the Nigerian league.

[Sunset]

Kwara United's U19 also won the 1st edition of the NYLC (Nigeria Youth League Cup) final today with a 3-2 victory vs Atlantic Business