Abakaliki FC Win 2026 Ebonyi FA Cup After Narrow Victory Over Cynosure FC

Posted : 26 April 2026

Abakaliki Football Club (FC) of Ebonyi State on Saturday won a consecutive state federation cup title after narrowly defeating Cynosure FC in the final of the 2026 edition.

Abakaliki FC previously stunned Nigeria’s football fraternity by reaching the final of the 2025 President Federation Cup but lost to Kwara United of Ilorin on penalties. The feat was particularly significant as it came in their year of formation, despite being relegated from the Nigeria National League (NNL) in the same period.

Abakaliki FC won the keenly contested 2026 state final at the Pa Ngele Oruta Stadium with a 1–0 victory, courtesy of a long-range free kick by winger Jude Aleke.

Coach of Abakaliki FC, Starplus Anista, congratulated his team on the victory, noting that the same competition first brought the club to national attention in its debut year.

“Our target is to equal or improve upon the 2025 President Federation Cup feat, which is ultimately winning the trophy. The memories of that magnificent period are awesome, and we want to replicate such by taking matches step by step as we did in 2025,” he said.

Anista added that the club would continue to embrace its “giant-killing” reputation, which made them stand out in 2025 and still resonates across the country.

“No one believed we could ruffle feathers in 2026, and many giants have fallen to supposed minnows in the present edition. Most of our injured players are back to full fitness, and we seek continued prayers from our fans to excel in the competition,” he added.

The Secretary of the Ebonyi State Football Association, Christian Onwe, expressed delight over the victory and wished the team success at the national level.

“The FA is happy with the successful organisation of the 2026 State Federation Cup and will support the two teams representing Ebonyi at the national series of the competition,” he said.

A major supporter of Abakaliki FC, Ogbonna Ekoh, commended the players and urged them to correct the lapses noticed in the 2025 edition.

“I was impressed with the team’s performance in this final and hopeful that they will make the state proud this time. I will not relent in galvanising support for the team during the competition and also attract more fans to its home matches next season,” he said.

Chidera Obi, a Cynosure FC player, described the defeat as painful, noting that the team gave their best.

“We will correct the noticeable deficiencies recorded in the match to ensure we replicate our opponent’s feat in the competition’s national series,” he said.

Abakaliki FC Win 2026 Ebonyi FA Cup After Narrow Victory Over Cynosure FC

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