“We Play Better on Smooth Turf” — Abakaliki FC Coach Laments Stadium Condition Amid NNL Struggles

As the 2024/25 Nigeria National League (NNL) season winds down, Abakaliki FC head coach Ifeanyi Onyedika has blamed his team’s poor form on the substandard playing surface of their home ground, Pa Ngele Oruta Stadium in Ebonyi State.

Currently rooted to the bottom of NNL Group B with 14 points from 15 matches, the Rice Boys have endured a frustrating campaign, with their recent 3-2 home defeat to Sporting Lagos further deepening the crisis.

“Our position in the table is not giving us any joy, especially after that defeat at home,” Onyedika told Completesports.
“Sometimes, you look at the surface of our home ground, Pa Ngele Oruta Stadium — it just doesn’t allow the boys the freedom of expression on the pitch.”

⚽ Poor Pitches, Broken Dreams?

Coach Onyedika’s frustration is not just a personal complaint—it’s a loud cry echoing the broader crisis in grassroots football infrastructure in Nigeria. His claim that the team performs significantly better on smooth pitches in Awka and Asaba raises important questions about fairness, consistency, and the development of local talents.

🗣️ Opinion: Fixing Fields, Fueling Futures

It’s heartbreaking when a team’s dreams are clipped not by lack of talent, but by the state of their pitch. Football is a game of finesse, rhythm, and movement, and when players are forced to navigate uneven or patchy surfaces, the game suffers—and so does the future of Nigerian football.

In a country teeming with raw talent, quality infrastructure must be prioritized. It’s no longer enough to just build stadiums; they must be properly maintained to match the ambitions of the clubs that use them.

Abakaliki FC’s woes should serve as a wake-up call to local governments and football administrators: when you invest in quality pitches, you invest in victories, development, and dreams.

🔜 Can the Rice Boys Rise Again?

Despite their position in the league, Abakaliki FC has a chance to rewrite their season’s narrative as they prepare for a crucial President Federation Cup semi-final clash against Ikorodu City next Wednesday.

A good outing in the Federation Cup could offer not just redemption—but also hope.

What are your thoughts on poor playing surfaces in Nigerian football? Should NNL clubs demand better from stadium authorities? Share below and tag someone who needs to hear this!