Fed Cup: FC Ifeanyi Ubah Pips Ebonyi United

FC Ifeanyi Ubah defeats Ebonyi Utd 1-0, qualify for round of 32 of the Federation Cup. FC Ifeanyi Ubah defeated Ebonyi United by a goal to nil, courtesy of a stoppage-time goal scored by Bello Koformata. 

The Anambra Warriors who came into the game as favourites were given a tough resistance by their opponents who were fearless throughout the game. 

 The match which was played on a very poor Dan Anyiam pitch, had little clear cut chances in the 1st half with the first real chance coming at the 15th minute when Oluchukwu Nwosu's well-whipped cross was headed wide by Nico Dao.  

This was followed by a couple of half chances by the Anambra Warriors while enjoying plenty of possession.  

However, the possession didn’t count in the 1st half as it ended goalless at half time.  The second half saw the introduction of three players within the 1st ten minutes, Seka Pascal, Bello Koformata, and Madabuchi Okereke.  

The trio made their presence felt as the created a host of chances between them with Okereke Maduabuchi coming closest in the 63rd minute as he forced a double save from the Ebonyi United goalkeeper.  With two minutes of added time given and just as it looked like the match was heading to a penalty shootout, substitute Bello Koformata blasted into the net an inch-perfect cross from Enu Wilson to break the hearts of the Ebonyi United players and send FC Ifeanyi Ubah through to the next round.  

Speaking after the game, Technical Adviser of FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Mitko Dobrev admitted that his team’s performance was not the best but praised his boys for grinding out the needed result.

 "It's not easy to play such a match after playing 19 matches of the NPFL, and also playing 4 matches in the last ten days. You could see our boys played with a lot of fatigue but I am proud that they were still able to get the result", Dobrev said. 

Dobrev went on to say that the players will rest properly during the break and come back better for the 2nd stanza of the season. "Now, we will rest properly and then come back stronger for the games against Niger Tornadoes and Nasarawa United. Our objective still remains the top three, so as to pick up a continental ticket", Dobrev concluded.