For those still trying to discover the muse of Abakaliki FC, the little-known Club from Ebonyi State that has reached the men’s final of this year’s President Federation Cup, they need not look farther than Head Coach Ifeanyi Onyedika. Onyedika is an ex-Nigeria international striker of repute, and was a notable member of the squad that won Nigeria’s first Africa Cup of Nations title in 1980. However, his gravitas does not end at international level. In 1981, Enugu Rangers were head-on against Bendel Insurance in what was a repeat of the 1978 final, in which Insurance, loaded with stars like Kadiri Ikhana, Henry Ogboe and Francis Moniedafe, incinerated the Flying Antelopes 3-0 at the National Stadium, Surulere. The setting in 1981 was also the same venue. Rangers exacted their revenge, but not without Onyedika’s handwriting. After Emmanuel Osigwe (another ex-international forward) scored for Rangers, Onyedika made it two against Insurance, and that surely foreclosed any thoughts of Insurance’s revival. Two years later, Onyedika was also part of the Rangers’ squad that won the Nigeria National Cup, defeating DIC Bees of Kaduna 5-4 after a penalty shootout following 0-0 in regulation time, also at the National Stadium, Surulere. Onyedika was not done. Twenty-three years after his second triumph as a player, with Enugu Rangers, Onyedika led Dolphin FC of Port Harcourt to victory as coach, when they defeated Bendel Insurance 5-3 after a penalty shootout following 2-2 draw in regulation time, at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta. He repeated the feat the following year, leading Dolphin FC to defeat his former club, Enugu Rangers 3-2 after a penalty shootout following 1-1 draw in regulation time, at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos. His Abakaliki FC has toppled many illustrious names in this year’s competition, among them Katsina United, Enyimba FC, Nasarawa United and Ikorodu City. Will Onyedika’s Cup magic hand the trophy to Abakaliki FC on Saturday? Fans are eager to find out.
