Players of Abakaliki Football Club of Ebonyii have been told that no one would identify with them whenever they draw or lose matches, especially at home.
The Chairman of Abakaliki Local Government Area of the state, Chief Ebere Nwogba made the declaration on Saturday after the team pipped Solution FC of Awka, Anambra 2–0 in a Nigeria National League (NNL) week three fixture.
Nwogba who watched the match alongside other sporting dignatories at the Pa Ngele Oruta stadium Abakalik,i said the only language the fans would understand is winning.
“You can see that failure is an orphan and success has many fathers.
“When you drew your first league match at home a fortnight ago, no one gathered this way as we all left the stadium with mixed feelings.
“You have won presently and stakeholders and fans have gathered in solidarity, to identify with your victory and encourage you.”
He urged the players to sustain the winning momentum in realising Gov. Francis Nwifuru’s vision for the club and appreciated them with N200,000.
The Chairman of Ebonyi LGA of the state, Chief Chinedu Uburu, commended the players for their efforts and urged them to sustain the winning tempo.
Uburu who is the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in the state noted that the victory brought back joy to the faces of fans.
He donated N500,000 to the team in appreciation and urged Ebonyi people to always appreciate the governor’s efforts to change the state’s narrative.
The Acting Chief Coach of the team, Starplus Anista, thanked the stakeholders for their support and pledged the team’s readiness to finish the season creditably.
“We massively count on the support of our 12th player– the fans in realising all set goals this season.”
Captain of the team, Cyril Timothy said the victory has reinvigorated the winning mentality in the players which they would do everything possible to sustain.
A player of Solution FC of Awka who spoke under the condition of anonymity, blamed the match referee for the loss, alleging that his actions ‘thwarted our game plan.’
Abakaliki FC scored two second half goals to win the match that could had gone the way of either sides.
The team has now garnered four points from three matches and had to suspend its Chief Coach Ifeanyi Onyedika (MON) after it drew 1-1 with Calabar Rovers at home in its season opener.
