Abakaliki FC Fires Head Coach Over Abysmal Performance

The management of Abakaliki Football Club has announced the indefinite suspension of its head coach, Mr. Ifeanyi Onyedika, following the team’s disappointing performance in their opening match of the 2025/2026 Nigeria National League season, which ended in a 1–1 draw with Rovers FC in Abakaliki.

Speaking with journalists after the match, the Club Chairman, Senator Obinna Ogba, said the suspension became necessary to restore discipline and reposition the team for improved results as the season progresses.

According to him, the assistant coach, popularly known as Star Plus Aniesta, has been directed to immediately assume full technical responsibilities for the team.

Senator Ogba assured the club’s supporters that management is committed to strengthening the team and will take all necessary measures to ensure a more competitive performance in subsequent fixtures.

Lending his voice, the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Hon. Richard Ugo-Idike, expressed dissatisfaction over the outcome of the match and fully backed the management’s decision.

"I’m not impressed at all. It was the decision taken by the management and announced by the chairman that the coach should go on suspension until further notice. It’s too bad that we are starting this way,” he said.

“Last year, we also started with a draw, and that is not good for us. With the support His Excellency is giving to ensure that players and officials are well taken care of, this is not the kind of result we should be getting. Any player or official who jokes with this opportunity will not be condoned.

"My worry is that the chief coach was standing like a stooge on the bench. He was not motivating the players in any way.”

The commissioner, however, commended the players for their effort, noting that they lacked proper motivation to give their best on the pitch.

Reacting to the development, the newly designated head of the technical crew, Mr. Star Plus Aniesta, said he received the news with mixed feelings, describing Coach Onyedika as a father figure. He nevertheless assured fans that the club’s ambition of securing promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League remains unchanged.

"This is not a job I am celebrating because the head coach is like a father to me. But the way we took this job, we promised Ebonyi State that we would take Abakaliki FC to the NPFL, and that target has not changed,” he said.

“Even though I have been working hand-in-hand with the head coach, Abakaliki FC fans should expect the fulfilment of that promise.”