Victory in the FA Cup, but more than just victory

We have qualified for the semifinal of the Abia State FA Cup after a 3-0 victory over Abia Warriors junior team. It was good to see the boys win again. But more than the victory was the prospect it holds for us.

Eguma rested some regulars like Atule and Ihemekwele and also gave starts to some players who have not really had game time this season. It was also good to see Obot return and in line for a start in Uyo.

Here is the starting eleven: Ani Ozoemena, Imoh Obot, Obichere Odinaka, Pascal Eze, Fatai Abdullahi, Somiari Alalibo, Elijah Akanni, Ufere Chinedu, Clinton Jephtah, Alade Balogun and Nnachi Chidiebere.

Eguma stuck to Pascal Eze and Somiari Alalibo to the end of the game, same with Nnachi and Jephtah. This is probably to help them attain to full fitness, as Alalibo, Jephtah and Nnachi are returnees from injury. Nnachi and Jephtah put in a good shift, further giving the coach options in attack. Jepthah scored the first goal after sneaking past defenders before picking his angle in the far left. He also had a hand in the second goal as his header was spilled by the goalkeper and Balogun was at the right place to slot home. Nnachi too is returning to full fitness with his tricky runs and has added sturdiness to his game, able to hold up play and withstand pressure. He switched sides with Jephtah in the first half but returned to the right in the second half.

For Obot, it would excite Eguma that the left back has returned. He brought finesse to the match and put in an impressive performance including sublime crosses.

It was also a good time to see new players, as Ebube Nwachukwu replaced Obichere and was solid at right back, putting in timely tackles and played up high the pitch too, his cross resulting to Abia Warriors’ own goal.

This may be victory in the FA Cup, but to Eguma, this game also helped to keep his boys fit for the game on Sunday in Uyo and also to give game time to players returning from injury which will help them return to full fitness and deepen the depth of the team. In the end, it was a test game at the right time.