Ifeanyi Onyedika, head coach of Abakaliki FC, says his team is in Lagos to win the 2025 President president cup.
Onyedika stated this during the pre match press conference ahead of the Saturday’s final against Kwara United.
The 1980 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON) winner said he is optimistic of victory.
“We are here to win. We’ll do everything possible to win but I must tell you it has not been easy coming to this point. It has been very tough but finally here we are,” said a confident Onyedika.
Having won the cup twice as a player and coach, he does not consider victory in the final as his biggest achievement.
“It won’t be my biggest achievement because this very competition, I have been in it many times and it I’ve got it three times, 2006, 2007 and 2009 with Enyimba so I’ve done it three times, it’s normal. I don’t see it differently.”
As a player, he won the cup with Rangers in 1981 and 1983, scoring in the final against Bendel Insurance. As a coach, he led Dolphins to defeat Bendel Insurance in the 2006 final, repeating the feat in 2007 with Dolphins after a 3-2 penalty shootout victory over Rangers following a 1-1 draw in regulation time, at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
He believes that he can win despite the pressure to deliver and the burden of expectation from fans of the side in Abakaliki.
“We are surely facing some pressure, for Ebonyi people and our numerous supporters, they are expecting so much and I know how football can be at times. But for me personally, I’ve seen it all at this level. I believe I will win, I don’t have that pressure that is my confidence,” said Onyedika.
