By Victor Nwegede
As the countdown begins to the grand finale of the 2025 President Federation Cup, business groups across Ebonyi State have declared their full support for Abakaliki FC, urging the team to secure victory against Kwara United in the decisive encounter this Saturday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos.
The match is set to be a historic moment for the club and the state, as Abakaliki FC—popularly known as the Rice Boys—look to crown their remarkable campaign with silverware in just their debut season in the national football league.
Chief Eric Kelechi Nwigwe, President of the Scrap Dealers Association in Ebonyi State and CEO of Mountain Scrap Nigeria Ltd., voiced the collective support of the business community while addressing journalists ahead of the final showdown. He praised Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for his administration’s strategic investment in youth and sports development.
“The success of Abakaliki FC is a testament to what our young people can achieve when they are given the right environment and support,” Nwigwe said. “The Governor has shown foresight by investing in sports, and now the whole country is taking notice of Ebonyi’s potential. We, the business community, are proud of these boys and will celebrate them when they bring the trophy home.”
Nwigwe emphasized that the state’s investment in sports is not only boosting morale among young people but also creating a path for economic development through talent promotion and tourism opportunities.
The Rice Boys have stunned fans and analysts alike with their dream run in the tournament, eliminating several top-tier clubs including Katsina United, Nasarawa United, Ikorodu FC, and the two-time CAF Champions League winners Enyimba International of Aba—widely considered a powerhouse in Nigerian football.
Saturday’s final will be a defining moment not only for Abakaliki FC but also for the club’s experienced tactician, Coach Ifeanyi Onyedika. A 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner with Nigeria, Onyedika is no stranger to high-stakes finals, having previously won the Nigeria National Cup multiple times as both a player and coach.
His impressive coaching résumé includes leading Dolphin FC of Port Harcourt to consecutive national cup victories in 2004 and 2005. With his blend of experience and tactical acumen, many believe he could guide Abakaliki FC to their first major trophy in what has become the most talked-about Cinderella story of the season.
“This is the type of football narrative that captures the spirit of the game,” said Ikemafuna Asika, Vice President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), South East zone. “Onyedika’s leadership and the resilience of these young players have given Ebonyi State something to be proud of.”
A win for Abakaliki FC would secure their place in the 2025/2026 CAF Confederation Cup, a continental tournament that could bring clubs from across Africa to Ebonyi’s capital for international fixtures—a development that promises to further boost local economy and visibility.
With the final now just days away, supporters from across the country—and especially from Ebonyi State—are expected to flood Lagos to witness what could be the crowning glory of a club that has become a symbol of hope, unity, and possibility.
