Governor Francis Nwifuru has rewarded 34 registered players of Abakaliki Football Club with ₦1 million each after they finished as runners-up in the 2025 President Federation Cup on June 28. The team lost 3–4 on penalties to Kwara United at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium, Lagos, following a goalless draw. The eight-month-old club earned widespread attention for defeating established sides like Enyimba FC and Nasarawa United on their way to the final.
While receiving the team in his office in Abakaliki, Governor Nwifuru also announced a ₦1 million reward for the head coach and ex-international, Ifeanyi Onyedika.Sixteen team officials will receive ₦500,000 each, while the supporters club will get ₦4 million. The Ebonyi chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) will also receive ₦1 million for their coverage of the team’s activities.
The governor praised the players for making Ebonyi proud, stating that he watched the final live and was impressed with their performance. He said their display on the pitch and the passion shown in the team anthem were remarkable.He, however, expressed disappointment over the team’s relegation from the Nigeria National League to the Nationwide League One, blaming the coach for the poor league performance and suggesting that better displays like the one in Lagos could have secured a higher finish.
Nwifuru noted that a Federation Cup win would have caused confusion since a relegated team would normally not be eligible to represent Nigeria in the CAF competition. He promised to explore ways to keep the club in the NNL. He urged the technical crew to ensure better preparation for the new season and granted the players a one-month break, assuring them of his active support and involvement in the upcoming campaign.
Source : https://gazettengr.com/
