The Abakaliki Football Club (FC) of Ebonyi on Saturday, won a consecutive state federation cup title after pipping Cynosure FC in the 2026 edition’s final.
themomentng reports that Abakaliki FC stunned the country’s football fraternity by reaching the final of the 2025 president federation cup but lost to Kwara United of Ilorin on penalty shootout.
The feat became highly significant because it came in its year of formation and it was relegated from the Nigeria National League (NNL) the same period.
Abakaliki won the keenly contested 2026 state final at the Pa Ngele Oruta stadium 1-0 off a long-ranged free–kick by winger, Jude Aleke.
Coach of Abakaliki FC, Starplus Anista, congratulated his team over the victory, noting that the same competition announced the club at the national level in its first year of formation.
“Our target is to equal or improve upon the 2025 president federation cup feat which is ultimately winning the trophy.
“The memories of that magnificent period are awesome and we want to replicate such by taking the matches step by step as we did in 2025,” he said.
Anistar noted that the club would still revel in the “giant-killling” status of the president federation cup which made it glow in 2025 and had reverbated across the states presently.
“No one believed we could ruffle feathers in 2026 and many giants have fallen to supposed minnows in the present edition.
“Most of our players who were hitherto injured are back to full fitness and we seek continued prayers from our fans to excel in the competition,”
The Secretary of Ebonyi Football Association, Christian Onwe, expressed happiness over the victory and wished the team success at the national level.
“The FA is happy with the successful organisation of the 2026 state federation cup and will support the two teams representing Ebonyi at the national series of the competition.
A Major Supporter of Abakaliki FC, Ogbonna Ekoh, commended the players and urged them to correct the lapses noticed in the 2025 edition.
“I was impressed with the team’s performance in this final and hopeful that they would make the state smile this time.
“I will not relent in galvanising support for the team during the competition and also take steps to attract more fans to its home matches in the next football season,”
Chidera Obi, a Cynosure FC Player, described the team’s loss as painful, noting that the players gave their best to win the title.
“We would correct noticeable deficiencies recorded in the match to ensure we replicate our opponent’s feat in the competition’s national series,” he said.
