FC Ifeanyi Ubah Wins 2016 Fed Cup Championship (Photos)

FC Ifeanyi Ubah on Sun­day made history as it became the first club side from Anambra State to lift the Federation Cup trophy after beating their counterpart Nasarawa United 5-4 on penalties in a pulsating encounter at the Teslim Balogun Stadium Surulere Lagos. The Anambra Warriors who were in search of a CAF Continental ticket after barely missing out on qualification through the NPFL made amends by seeing off the Solid Miners through penalties after 90 minutes of regulation time.

FC Ifeanyi Ubah made 4 changes to the side that defeated Crown FC in the semis as former National U-23 Goalkeeper Uche Okafor got the nod ahead of Edwin Nwakamma, Giant defender Akakem Onyedikachi replaced Cyril Edum while Bello Korfomata and Alberico Da Silva returned to the set up.

The game started in an end to end manner as both teams sought out to cancel each other out in the opening stages in a cagey midfield battle between the Anambra Warriors' dynamic duo of Tamen Medrano and Ngoma Luamba and Esosa Igbinoba and Ichull Lordson of Nasarawa United until the latter player of Nasarawa United paid the price with an injury in the 25th minute. A lack of cutting edge from both sides ensured that the first half ended barren.

The second 45 minutes kicked off in like fashion devoid of much clear cut chances until the 72nd minute when Adeleye Olamilekan made a brilliant tackle to halt the counter attacking move spearheaded by Ishaya Anyu, brother of FC IfeanyiUbah's own Adada Anyu. FC Ifeanyi Ubah's Eugene Ossy's miscued his first touch on a through ball while clear on goal before the former Nigerian U-17 Goalie Uche took the game to penalties after parrying Zenke Thomas' low drive in the last action of the 90 minutes. FC Ifeanyi Ubah's Uche Okafor became the hero of the day in the penalty shootout after saving Seun Sogbeso's penal­ty kick while Elu Wilson, Alberico Da Silva, Tamen Medrano, Maduabuchi Okereke and Adeleye Olamilekan all converted from 12-yards to seal the victory.

The Anambra State Gover­nor, Chief Willie Obiano, was quick to commend the Club for the great honour it has brought to the state and to Ndi Anam­bra as a whole. Speaking after the victory, Governor Obiano described the victory as a gift to Anambra state, pointing out that the entire people of the state were proud of this singluar achievement while assuring the club of the continued support of his administration as it prepares to represent Nigeria on the continent next season.


After making history yesterday as the youngest football club in Ni­geria to win a continental ticket, the Proprietor/President of FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, told fans of the Anambra Warriors that the club will put up a good rep­resentation in the CAF Confeder­ations Cup. Speaking after he received the Federation Cup trophy, an elated Dr. Ubah insisted that he is yet to meet his target with the club, stressing that the team will now concentrate on proving to be a worthy ambassa­dor of the country in African foot­ball.
He noted that the Nnewi-based club will re-position to battle for the challenges of playing at the conti­nental level. “We fought hard for today’s vic­tory and it is not going to end here. We are not done yet with our tar­get as far as this club is concerned. We will commence preparations immediately for both the new sea­son and the Confederation’s Cup,” he said.

Also reacting to the victory, Chairman of the Club, Chukwuma Ubah said it was a win well deserved and occasioned by hardwork, commitment and patience.
''Firstly we thank God for giving us the day, today we have rewritten history in the annals of football as the 'Anambra Warriors' are now the first club from Anambra State to lift the Federation Cup. This is coming at a time when we needed to prove that Football is certainly made in Anambra. The players and the technical crew were absolutely on point with every decision taken on the field of play and in the dugout. We dedicate this victory to the entire fans of FC IfeanyiUbah and we thank them immensely for their prayers and massive support throughout the course of this journey.'' Ubah Said.

In his reaction, Coach of the team, Rafael Everton in an emotional laden speech,  was of the view that the win was an act of providence. ''Thanks to God Almighty for this day and we dedicate this win to the entire fans of FC Ifeanyi Ubah in Nnewi, Anambra State and Nigeria. It has been a week of intense preparation for this encounter. We went into closed door camping for one week in order to get everyone in the right shape and frame of mind for this epic encounter. Now, the price for hard work is this giant trophy you are seeing. Kudos also to Nasarawa United for putting up a good fight but thankfully at the end, we won by penalties.  We had practiced penalty kicks in the course of our closed camping well aware of the fact that situations like this could occur. Thanks also to Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah our President for all he has done for the team, especially the massive investments he has made into the playing and coaching staff'' Everton said.

Technical Adviser of the team, Mitko Dobrev opined that the result was a true reflection of zest shown by the players to attain success in the form of winning the trophy. ''The FA Cup is the biggest and oldest football competition in any country. FC Ifeanyi Ubah are now officially Nigerian Champions with this win, it calls for celebration as the players, technical crew and management worked very hard to get to this level. We now have to move on now and think about the bigger task ahead which is an appearance in the CAF Confederations Cup,'' Said the Bulgarian tactician.

Roll Call

Dignitaries who graced the occasion were the Governor of Nasarawa State, His Excellency Tanko Al Makura; Executive Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency Chief Willie Obiano represented by his Deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke; Commissioner for Youth Enterpreneurship and Sports Development in Anambra State, Barr. (Dr.) Uju Nwogu represented by the Permanent Secretary Dr. Emma Ude Akpeh; Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), President Amaju Pinnick and Chairman League Management Company of the NPFL Mallam Shehu Dikko; Proprietor/President of FC Ifeanyi Ubah and Chairman, Anambra State Football Association, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, Coach of the Nigerian National Team, Gernot Rohr. Others are members of the Nigerian Football Federation board, members of Anambra State Football Association Board, ex-Nigerian Internationals like Victor Ikpeba, Peter Rufai, Chikelue Iloenyosi amongst a host of others.

With the victory, FC Ifeanyi Ubah will now join Wikki Tourist as the second team that will represent Nigeria at the CAF Confederation Cup next season.