For those still wondering about the driving force behind the remarkable rise of Abakaliki FC — the underdog club from Ebonyi State now set to contest the men’s final of the 2024 President Federation Cup — the answer lies in the man on the touchline: Head Coach Ifeanyi Onyedika.

A name steeped in Nigerian football history, Onyedika is not just a former Nigeria international striker — he was part of the legendary Green Eagles squad that clinched the country’s first Africa Cup of Nations title in 1980.

 But his legacy doesn’t stop there. For decades, he has carved a unique niche as both a Cup-winning player and coach.

In 1981, while playing for Enugu Rangers, Onyedika starred in a fierce Federation Cup final against Bendel Insurance — a rematch of their 1978 clash in which Insurance had triumphed 3-0.

This time, the Flying Antelopes had revenge on their minds at the National Stadium, Surulere. After Emmanuel Osigwe put Rangers ahead, Onyedika doubled the lead, sealing a 2-0 win and erasing memories of their previous defeat.

Two years later, he was again part of the Rangers team that lifted the trophy, overcoming DIC Bees of Kaduna 5-4 on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation time — once again at the Surulere ground that had become a fortress of football history.

Fast forward to 2006, and Onyedika reemerged — this time from the dugout — to guide Dolphin FC of Port Harcourt to Federation Cup glory.

Dolphin edged Bendel Insurance 5-3 on penalties after a pulsating 2-2 draw in regulation time at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta.

He followed up that triumph the very next year by leading Dolphin to a dramatic win over his old club Enugu Rangers, 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

Now, nearly two decades later, Onyedika is weaving his cup magic once again — this time with little-known Abakaliki FC.

Against all odds, the team has taken down giants like Katsina United, Enyimba FC, Nasarawa United, and Ikorodu City to earn a historic place in Saturday’s grand finale.

Will Onyedika’s storied Federation Cup touch deliver yet another fairy tale finish — this time for a club few saw coming?

Fans across Nigeria are watching, waiting, and hoping to witness yet another chapter in Ifeanyi Onyedika’s legendary love affair with the Federation Cup.

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Strategic partners to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on the President Federation Cup, GTI Asset Management and Trust Limited, have promised football fans across Nigeria a grand spectacle as the curtain falls on the 77th edition of the nation’s oldest domestic football competition.

In a statement released on Wednesday, GTI’s Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, announced that preparations for this year’s double-header finale are in full swing, with a mix of thrilling football and first-rate entertainment set to light up the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos, this Saturday.

Kwara United

“Mobolaji Johnson Arena will come alive with soccer fireworks and thrilling entertainment,” Ekejiuba declared. “Finalists in both the women’s and men’s categories will take center stage, showcasing the talent, grit, and passion that define the spirit of the President Federation Cup.”

Abakaliki FC

In the women’s final, Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt will battle Nasarawa Amazons at 1:00 p.m. in a clash of giants. Rivers Angels, nine-time champions, are aiming for a record-extending 10th title, while Nasarawa Amazons are eager to reclaim the crown they last won in 2019—ironically, by defeating Rivers Angels.

Adding spice to the contest is the presence of Josephine Mathias, now captain of Nasarawa Amazons, who was part of the Rivers Angels team that fell short in that 2019 decider. The match promises a fierce and emotionally charged showdown.

The men’s final, kicking off at 4:00 p.m., features Kwara United and underdog sensation Abakaliki FC, in what many are calling a true David vs Goliath affair. Kwara United booked their place with a narrow 1-0 win over NPFL champions Enugu Rangers, while Abakaliki FC—nicknamed De Rice Boys—have scripted a fairytale run to the final.

The Ebonyi State-based side stunned the football scene by eliminating four NPFL clubs—Katsina United, Enyimba FC, Nasarawa United, and Ikorodu City—after an initial win over Yobe Desert Stars in the Round of 64. Their improbable march has captivated fans nationwide.

Both finals will be streamed live on SuperSport and Propel Sports Africa, ensuring that fans across Nigeria and beyond can enjoy the action from anywhere in the world.

GTI reaffirmed its dedication to growing Nigerian football through purposeful partnerships and investment. “The 2025 President Federation Cup final is another milestone in our journey to revive and elevate Nigerian domestic football,” Ekejiuba concluded.

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Where the competition began 80 years ago as the Governor’s Cup will again be the theatre of action as the Onikan waterfront arena will again host the President Federation Cup final.

Last year’s final was also held at the now vastly upgraded arena, which before then, last hosted the national competition in 1972.  

Now renamed Mobolaji Johnson Arena from the previous names of Association Ground, King George V Stadium, Lagos City Stadium, and lately Onikan Stadium, the waterfront stadium will host the encounter of Kwara United and Abakaliki FC.

The duel, which recalls a similar Middlebelt versus East Central encounter of 1976, will be played on June 28. In 1976, it was the Alyufsalam Rocks of Kwara versus Enugu Rangers of the old Anambra State, which incorporated the present-day Ebonyi State, where Abakaliki FC is based. At the time, Enugu Rangers comprehensively won against Alyufsalam Rocks, who had nine Ghanaians in their starting line-up.

The match was at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos. This time, the battleground has shifted to Onikan. Will the narratives change?

 The compact but dainty facility by the waterfront hosted last year’s grand finale, in which El-Kanemi Warriors defeated Abia Warriors to winners of the men’s competition, while Rivers Angels edged Naija Ratels 1-0 in the women’s version.

Lagos State has hosted a total of 60 final matches of Nigeria’s oldest Cup competition.

Of the 60 Final matches, 27 were staged at the present waterfront ground between 1945 and 1972. The 1972 final match had to be replayed and moved for the first time, out of Lagos to Ibadan.

With no competition in 1973, the final returned to Lagos the following year, but to a new arena, the National Stadium, Surulere. 

The National Stadium, Surulere hosted a total of 22 Final matches, with the last Final there in 2002, when Julius Berger defeated Yobe Desert Stars 3-0 to emerge champions.

Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos hosted eight Final matches (2007 & 2009, and 2011-2016).

The final has also taken place previously at the Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi (1989 and 1994), Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi (1992 and 2008), Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna (1993, 1997, 2003 and 2019), Rancher Bees Stadium, Kaduna (1998), Sam Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City (2004 and 2021), Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt (2005), MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta (2006), Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano (2010), Agege City Stadium (2017) and the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba (2018 and 2023).

This year’s grand finale will see surprise packets Abakaliki FC of Ebonyi taking on Kwara United FC of Ilorin in the men’s final, while Cup holders Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt will tackle Nasarawa Amazons of Lafia in a much-anticipated women’s final.

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