First NNL Match: Abakaliki FC Suspends Chief Coach

Sen. Obinna Ogba, Manager, Abakaliki FC

From Nabob Ogbonna, Abakaliki

Abakaliki Football Club yesterday suspended its Chief Coach, Mr. Ifeanyi Onyedika, following the team’s disappointing home draw in their opening fixture of the 2025/2026 Nigeria National League season against Rover FC of Calabar.

The suspension was announced by the club’s manager, Sen. Obinna Ogba, shortly after the pulsating encounter at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.

Abakaliki FC,popularly known as The Rice Boys opened scoring early in the second half through a brilliantly curled free kick taken just outside the penalty area.

However, the visitors snatched an equalizer 15 minutes from full time, denying the hosts what would have been a morale-boosting victory.

Speaking to journalists after the match, Ogba expressed deep frustration over the performance.

“I am not happy that we played a draw at home with Rover FC. I warned them before this game that I will not tolerate what happened last season,”

“On that basis, I am hereby suspending the Chief Coach, Mr. Ifeanyi Onyedika, until further notice.”he said.

Ogba noted that the team had been in camp for three months and had earlier failed to qualify in a preparatory tournament in Sagamu.

“I didn’t say anything then,” “But now, I won’t take this kind of result lightly again. The assistant coach should take over immediately.

As for the players, they are not different from the coach, but I won’t suspend them. The coach must take the pains for now, especially because he didn’t give active technical direction from the bench.”he added.

The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Prince Richard Idike, echoed Ogba’s disappointment, criticizing the coach’s lack of command presence.

“I am not impressed. Last season we started with a draw, and this season again we are starting the same way. It’s not a good sign. We won’t joke this season.My worry is that the head coach was just standing like a stooge. He wasn’t pushing or encouraging the players. The players did well, but they needed someone to ginger them, and that did not happen.”he added.

Meanwhile, the newly appointed acting head coach, Mr. Starplus Aniesta, appeared emotional about the development, insisting that he and the suspended coach had jointly built the squad.

“This is not a job I will celebrate; my Chief Coach is like a father to me. But we will not abandon the task. We will change the narrative for Abakaliki FC, and I will do everything to produce better results.” he added.

Rover FC’s head coach, Mr. Christian Okonkwo, commended his team’s fighting spirit and praised the officiating crew.“When they scored, I told my boys we would get one back. The match was fair, the referee was fair, and both teams played well.”