1980 AFCON winner hails Abakaliki FC’s Federation Cup victory over Enyimba

Onyedika, MON, a member of Nigeria’s historic 1980 African Cup of Nations-winning Green Eagles squad, has expressed delight after his side, Abakaliki FC, pulled off a shock 2-0 win over NPFL giants Enyimba in the 2025 President Federation Cup Round of 16.

The match, played at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba on Wednesday, saw the Nigeria National League (NNL) underdogs eliminate the four-time Cup winners and two-time CAF Champions League champions.

Chukwudi Okoro opened the scoring with a header from an Eni Daniel cross, before Daniel himself doubled the advantage, sealing a famous victory for Abakaliki FC.

Speaking after the match, the 69-year-old former Dolphins of Port Harcourt coach could not hide his excitement.

“I’m delighted with our victory. We’ve won other games before now, but I think this is the biggest, the sweetest. We’re now the real giant-killers,” Onyedika told Completesports.com.

Read Also: 1980 AFCON winner hails Abakaliki FC’s Federation Cup victory over Enyimba

Abakaliki FC have built quite the reputation in the competition, having previously knocked out Yobe Stars and Katsina United in earlier rounds.

Looking ahead, the surprise package of the tournament will face another top-flight side, Nasarawa United, in the quarter-finals. Onyedika, however, remains calm and confident.

“No doubt, no two games are ever the same. There are matches you win that impact positively on your team — and this one against Enyimba is just that,” he said.

“It has given the players confidence, and that confidence will carry them through the next fixtures. So, we look forward to the quarter-final game against Nasarawa United.

“We can only go back home now, analyse this game, correct a few mistakes, and prepare for the next one,” Onyedika concluded.