Ebonyi Governor Rewards Abakaliki FC With Millions For Federation Cup Feat.
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has celebrated the remarkable achievement of Abakaliki Football Club by rewarding its 34 registered players with ₦1 million each for their runner-up finish in the 2025 President Federation Cup. The announcement was made during a reception for the team in Abakaliki on Monday, 30 June 2025, following their narrow defeat to Kwara United in a thrilling final at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on 28 June.
The match, which ended goalless after regulation time, saw Abakaliki FC lose 4-3 on penalties to Kwara United, marking the first time a team from Ebonyi State reached the final of Nigeria’s prestigious national cup competition. The eight-month-old club, dubbed the “giant-killers,” stunned the football community by defeating top-tier Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) sides, including Enyimba FC, Nasarawa United, Katsina United, and Ikorodu City, en route to the final.
Governor Nwifuru, addressing the players, hailed their resilience and the pride they brought to Ebonyi State. He also awarded ₦1 million to the team’s head coach, ex-international Ifeanyi Onyedika, whose tactical brilliance guided the Nigeria National League (NNL) side to this historic milestone. Additionally, 16 team officials will receive ₦500,000 each, while the supporters’ club was granted ₦4 million for their unwavering support. The Ebonyi chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) was also recognised with ₦1 million for their effective coverage of the team’s journey.
The governor further committed to supporting the club’s return to the NNL next season after their recent relegation to the Nationwide League One (NLO). He assured that salaries for existing players would be paid until November 2025 and promised a refurbishment of the Abakaliki Stadium pitch to bolster the team’s future campaigns.
Team captain Cyril Timothy expressed gratitude for the governor’s support, apologising for the loss and pledging improved performances next season. “We regret the defeat, but this achievement is a milestone for Ebonyi football,” he said. Coach Onyedika, a 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner, described reaching the final as the “pinnacle of sporting achievement” for the state, despite an injury to a key striker impacting their performance.
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Ebonyi chapter, praised the team’s feat as a testament to the state’s growing football prowess, commending Governor Nwifuru’s investment in youth and sports development. The ₦20 million cash prize for reaching the final, combined with the governor’s rewards, has sparked celebrations across Abakaliki, with fans hopeful for a brighter future for the “Rice Boys.”
This gesture underscores Nwifuru’s commitment to sports as a tool for youth empowerment and state pride, setting the stage for Abakaliki FC to aim for greater heights in the coming seasons.
