Ifeanyi Onyedika, MON, a former Green Eagles striker and now Head Coach of Abakaliki FC, has exclusively told Exclusivenews.com.ng that he is 'proud' of his players after their  5-4 penalty win over NPFL side, Ikorodu City FC.

The pulsating President Federation Cup semi final match was decided at the Bwari Stadium, Abuja, on Wednesday, 21 May, 2025.

Since the start of the 2025 Federation Cup race, Abakaliki FC had shown no mercy to Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL sides, having sent the likes of Katsina United, Nasarawa United, Enyimba International and now Ikorodu City, the painful way out of the annual Cup race.

Abakaliki FC are last on the Nigeria National League, NNL, Conference B table but have navigated their way to the President Federation Cup final in their very first year of existence.
And Coach Onyedika, MON, who had previously won the  cup twice with Dolphins FC (now Rivers United), could not hide his feelings after the pyrrhic win.

"I'm very happy, absolutely elated", Onyedika responded when Exclusivenews.com.ng called him up after the game.

"I'm proud these players. They gave their best. They held their confidence high, refusing to fret over a potential 'Premier League' team. They held their ground strongly.

"Now we're in the Federation Cup) final in our first season. The Government of Ebonyi State is happy. The food people of Ebonyi State are right now celebrating on the streets because they never experienced this moment before.

"These boys have brought joy to the state, our ever loyal and supporting fans. Yes, we know that the biggest of the games (the final) is yet to come. But, let's enjoy this moment first, then when we get back home, we begin to think and prepare for the final, which is also against another NPFL side, Kwara United.

"We entered this competition as 'under dogs', but now, nobody will question our 'Giant Killers' credentials. Yes, we've proved we can play and rub shoulders with any team despite our NNL status and position on the league table", Onyedika, a formers Rangers forward who is fondly called 'Ahidjo' said.