IFA 2023: Abakaliki Plays Ekumenyi DC On Final

By Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki

The ongoing Izzi Football Association, IFA 2023 super league has come to final stage with Abakaliki Development Center playing Ekumenyi DC on 26th December. Announcing results in Abakaliki, the 2023 Local Organizing Committee chairman, Mr George Iboko told newsmen that four teams qualified for the final stage match.

According to him, Abakaliki Development Center would be playing Ekumenyi for the first place match at Community Secondary School Nwofe Agbaja in Izzi LGA while Igbeagu and Ebonyi DC would be playing the third place. "We just concluded semi final; from group stage, quarter final, semi final and will be playing final on 26th December. "Two teams qualified for final. last week being 17th Sunday, Igbeagu played with Abakaliki and they were defeated by the Abakaliki team.

"Ebonyi equally played with Ekumenyi and after 1-1 and on penalty shoot out that ended on 4-3 in the favour of Ekumenyi DC. "So, the final will be between Abakaliki DC vs Ekumenyi DC at Nwofe Agbaja Secondary School by 3:00 o'clock, and Igbeagu vs Ebonyi DC by 12:00 o'clock for third position . he stated. Iboko who noted that the management has concluded all necessary preparations assured that the officials would be transparent and neutral while performing their duties. The IFA vice president, Dr John Nkwuda commended the officials for their technical support and prayed for successful final. He equally thanked the state governor, Rt Hon Francis Nwifuru for his support adding that the match has helped unite the youth while they harness talents that would represent the state in the nearest future. He attributed the victory of Ebonyi DC at the recent inter-LGA match at the state level to the steady competition of the league and urged the state Sports Council to include them in their committee to enable them contribute in sports development of the state. Earlier, the IFA national president, Barr Boniface Ezaegu appreciated the players for their professionalism and appealed they remain ambassadors of the league even after the end of the season. Ezeagu called on sports enthusiasts to turn en mass at the venue of the match while urging stakeholders in the sporting sector to continue promoting games of sports as to reduce youth restiveness while exposing them to career opportunities.