By Daily Sports on February 20, 2016

As the new Nigeria Football Premier League (NFPL) season kicks off tomorrow, ex­pectations are high that FC Ifeanyi Ubah of Nnewi (a.k.a Anambra Warriors) will give their fans in Anambra State a lot to cheer.

First, the Nnewi-based club has rekindled hope of football development in the state. Secondly, there are high hopes that the club will again re-launch Anambra into football limelight by winning national trophies and qualifying to play at the continental stage. Thirdly, is the entertainment part of it. As a rich club parading imported professional players and eager to win laurels, football fans are sure of full value for their money and time, week in and out at the commercial city of Nnewi.

Fans in the commercial city of Onitsha are ready to give massive support for the club’s success.

Mr Odii Ikpeazu, a veteran football administrator and proprietor of Ikpeazu Redoubtable Football Club of Onitsha, noted that it is interesting to see that somebody is interested in investing in the game again in the state, and prayed that it wouldn’t end up like others.

“I don’t want to call names, but I can tell you that we have had people who invested in football but could not offer all it takes to stand the test of time as expected. We are interested in the new development and it is our earnest wish to see it work out. We pray and hope to see those involved in this new movement provide all it takes to stand the test of time and move on. Anambra deserves a top position in football in this country and soccer-loving people of the state will always lend their support to those who are interested in driving football,” he said.

On his part, the proprietor of Solute Football Academy, Mr. Anthony Chimezie Okanta, observed that Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah has injected the needed life into football in Anambra by floating a top flight club in the state, adding that all hands must be on deck to put the club on the winning side.

Okanta stated that FC Ifenayi Ubah has rekindled the hope of grassroots football in Onitsha and other parts of the state, noting that footballers in the state have been suffering from the gap between grassroots and top flight football. He noted that in the years past, Onitsha produced players for clubs like the defunct Jasper United, Udoji United and Gabros, who featured for national teams like the Super Eagles, Flying Eagles and the Golden Eaglets and even joined clubs in for­eign countries.

According to him, Onitsha has enough grassroots footballers begging for exposure. “Onitsha is capable of feeding top clubs, if the gap between the grassroots and top flight is bridged. And I want to assure the coaching crew of FC Ifeanyi Ubah that if they beam their searchlight in Onitsha, they will get quality players to feed the club,” he said.

•Sourced from The AUTHORITY. Photo shows FC Ifeanyi Ubah players and officials.

Source Daily Sports

Posted February 20, 2016

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