The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Rt. Hon. Richard Idike says the management of Abakaliki Football Club (FC) will sustain the club’s steady rise in the Nigeria:football sphere.
Idike made the pledge in Abakaliki in an interview, noting that the club has done “well with just two years in existence”.
The commissioner said that though the club was expected to gain promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) this current football season, its 5th place was a sign of improvement and encouragement.
“We are taking about a club which swam in relegation murky waters last season but climbed to 5th place this season in the Nigeria National League (NNL).
“This is an upward trajectory and with understanding of how football works, we would work assidiously to finish stronger nextl season.”
He urged fans to be patient with the club, promising that the national series of the President’s Federation Cup presents another opportunity to underline the strenght and prospects of the team.
“We are still reveling in the euphoria of our 2025 federation cup feat where we stunned critics to reach the final, in our first season.
“That was a feat achieved only by the defunct Leventis United of Ibadan and such feat has propelled the state to national football prominence.
“We still have the bulk of that silver-winning team in our fold and with some strong additions in the team.already, we hope to surpass that feat.”
Idike noted that the team would always welcome criticism but urged fans to see more of the team’s positives than otherwise.
“People are shouting Arsenal!!Arsenal presently because the perseverance of its management and fans have paid off.
“This was a team that bungled its English premier league ambitions in the past two seasons and were nowhere near the champions league semi final.
“The team is presently few matches away from winning the league since 2004 and 90 minutes away from its first champions league glory.”
He thanked Governor Francis Nwifuru for his unwavering love for the club, assuring that the seed of revamping football in the state which he sowed, would continue glowing.
“The governor has matched his words with action, always lifting us with unquantifiable support and care.
“He beiieves in us and that is why we are doing everything possible to show him the desired improvement and make him and the state proud.
“Football has been revamped in Ebonyi and we have joined other states of the federation to buzz in the game’s fervour,.”
