Abakaliki FC return to the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium this weekend with one mission—end their frustrating winless run—as Solution FC of Awka arrive for a fiercely anticipated Week Three encounter in the Nigeria National League (NNL).
The match comes at a defining moment for the Ebonyi-owned side popularly called De Rice Boys, who are still searching for stability since the state government revived the club last season under the administration of Governor Francis Nwifuru.
His bold move to re-establish a professional football presence—years after the dissolution of Ebonyi Angels and Ebonyi Queens was widely celebrated as a major step toward youth empowerment through sports. But the team’s on-field battles have continued to test the project’s early promise.
Last season’s relegation rattled supporters already anxious over the team’s inability to adapt to the rigours of Nigeria’s second division.
The new campaign has brought little relief. Abakaliki FC opened their season with a nervy 1–1 draw at home against Calabar Rovers, a result that led to the suspension of head coach Ifeanyi Onyedika.
His assistant, Coach Starplus, was immediately ordered to step in.
His first outing in charge, however, ended in a narrow 1–0 defeat to Akwa United in Uyo yet another reminder that De Rice Boys remain a team in search of rhythm and identity.
This weekend’s visitors, Solution FC of Awka, carry both symbolic and sporting weight. The club named after the political ideology of Governor Chukwuma Soludo has grown into a competitive NNL side capable of troubling any opponent on their day.
For Abakaliki FC, the fixture could either bring the “solution” they desperately need or pile on fresh pressure.
Beyond the dugout, analysts say the team’s deeper issues require firmer administrative intervention.
Calls have grown louder for the club to recruit more in-form players with winning pedigree, appoint a tactically grounded and proven coach, and institute a management system driven strictly by professionalism rather than internal politics.
Officials have also been urged to urgently address allegations of favoritism claims that certain players secure playing time through financial inducements.
Unpaid allowances, which continue to affect players’ morale and focus, remain another concern. Supporters insist that a more disciplined approach to player welfare and matchday logistics, especially during away games, is crucial if the team must compete at a higher level.
Governor Nwifuru himself had expressed dissatisfaction last season when the team finished as runners-up in the NFF President Federation Cup, losing narrowly to Kwara United after an extraordinary run that saw them oust top-tier teams including Enyimba, Nasarawa FC, and Ikorodu FC. The Governor questioned how a team capable of such brilliance in knockout football struggled disastrously in the league.
His decision to secure a new league slot for the club after relegation was both a lifeline and a stern warning. He charged players, coaches, and management to fix the loopholes, raise their level of commitment, and push for promotion to the Nigeria Premier League.
Now, as Solution FC lands in Abakaliki, all eyes are on De Rice Boys to show grit, discipline, and the hunger befitting a club representing the pride of Ebonyi State. Another stumble could deepen concerns; a victory could spark the resurgence supporters have been yearning for.
For Abakaliki FC, this is more than a match because it is a statement opportunity, a test of character, and perhaps the beginning of a long-awaited turnaround.
