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| The players celebrating after the match |
Alpha FC club of Abakaliki has defeated Mbaise United from Imo State 2-0 to qualify for the Nigeria Nationwide League division three.
The much anticipated qualifying match which took place at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu saw the Club from Mbaise failing to utilized their chances at the early minutes of the game.
Alpha FC took the lead in the 22nd minute through Ifeany Nwobu from a well tailored crossing from the team captain, who is also a medical doctor, Isaac Nwaigboji.
The clubs second goal came from Cyprain Uche in 87th minute of the game to send the team from Abakaliki through to the division three.
The Players and officials Celebrating their qualification
In his reaction, the coach of the club from Abakaliki, Martins Muogbo said that the players gave him what he asked of them.
“This is my second time of leading a club to division three qualifying and the first one was with Okada FC of Abakaliki but we could not make it.
“Although we have qualified but we are still going to face a difficult task which is getting ready for the division three proper.
“We are going to recruit more players and perfect our strategies for the next level as the division requires,” he said.
The captain of Alpha FC, Nwaigboji said that playing and wining the ticket to division three is a new experience for him but wish to do better at the division proper.
“It is obvious that we are in division three right now, we are going to prepare for the next level and hope with the present momentum we are going to do better in future.
“My presennce to the team matters a lot but as a medical doctor the team has made provision for my absence.
“We have capable hands who can take my position if my job stopped me from honouring any of our matches so I can combine playing football and my profession,” he said.
Nwaigboji said that he is aspiring to play football to the highest level and to serve the country at the national team.
He appealed to the Ebonyi State government and sports loving individuals to support the team.
His words: "Our participation in this tournament was just by the grace of God. We depend on contribution from the players most of whom are unemployed and from a few of us who are working".
"But that cannot take us far especially as we are now into division three proper which is even more time consuming".
"The state government should come to the aide of the team. We are now representing Ebonyi not just for Alpha FC".
In his view, the coach of Mbaise United, Donnie Nwaete said that the club lost the game to lack of fitness owing that they players have not trained properly since Monday because of rain".
“We lost the game to fitness that is why the players took the game to our opponent and at the long run could not sustain the momentum".
“Secondly, the players taught that the team from Abakaliki will not match them to their money that is why they received the biggest shock of their lives".
“What remains for us now is to go home, prepare for the nest year state league and hope we get this opportunity again,” Nwaete added.
Alpha FC players celebrating their victory after the match.
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