Abakaliki FC Escapes Injury In Road Accident After Federation Cup Final.
Abakaliki FC, the Ebonyi State-based football club, narrowly avoided disaster on Sunday, 29 June 2025, when their team bus was involved in a minor accident on the Benin-Ore expressway while returning from the President Federation Cup final in Lagos. The club, fondly known as the Rice Boys, had suffered a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat to Kwara United at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Saturday, marking their first-ever appearance in the final of Nigeria’s oldest football competition.
The incident occurred in Ondo State when the bus, carrying team officials, experienced brake failure and collided with the rear of a moving truck. According to a statement posted on the club’s official Facebook page, no injuries or fatalities were recorded, though the vehicle sustained mild damage. “To God be the glory, no injury and no life was lost,” the club wrote, expressing gratitude for the safety of all involved. The statement further detailed that the crash happened along the Ondo express highway, with the bus driver losing control due to the brake failure.
Abakaliki FC’s remarkable journey to the final had captured the hearts of Nigerian football fans. The Nigeria National League (NNL) side, coached by Ifeanyi Onyedikachi, earned their place in the final by defeating four Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) teams—Katsina United, Nasarawa United, Enyimba, and Ikorodu City. Despite their loss to Kwara United in a tightly contested match that ended goalless after regulation time, the team’s fairytale run was widely celebrated, with Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau praising their quality and resilience.
The accident added a sombre note to what had been a historic campaign for the Rice Boys. Social media posts from fans and observers expressed relief at the team’s safety, with many commending their spirited performance in the final. The club’s statement concluded with a message of gratitude: “We thank God, we are all safe and sound. To God be the glory!”
As Abakaliki FC returns to Ebonyi State, the focus will likely shift to rebuilding and preparing for future challenges. Their remarkable run in the 2025 President Federation Cup has cemented their status as a rising force in Nigerian football, with fans eagerly awaiting their next chapter.