A total of 30 players were officially unveiled by Ikukuoma FC, Thursday 30, March 2023 at the Central School Field, Ezeagbogu, Ezinihitte Mbaise in Imo State as the young ambitious club stepped up preparation for a hopeful campaign in the 2023 Nationwide League One 2 season – Nigeria’s third-tier league.
The glamorous occasion was graced by the members and staff of Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation, the umbrella body of Ikukuoma FC. The Supporters Club and well-wishers of the Mbaise gunners were also in attendance which had the players beaming with smiles as they celebrated and relished their investiture.
The President of Ikukuoma FC, High Chief Dr. Summers V.C Nwokie, who unveiled Captain Chuka Ukaegbu, also presented the players, one after the other, to the supporters.
Chief Nwokie gleefully explained to Completesports.com the motive behind the floating of Ikukuoma FC and the modest side’s immediate goals.
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“My commitment is borne out of interest in youth development using sports as a veritable tool for empowerment and a plausible means of checkmating crimes and vices,” Dr. VC Nwokie stated while addressing journalists who graced the event.
“A few years back, we started Ikukuoma Mbaise Unity Cup. The dream then was to harness young talents in Mbaise. After the third edition, we decided to form a Football Club from the players we have harnessed over that period in addition to players recruited elsewhere.”
Meanwhile, the captain of Ikukuoma FC, Chuka Ukaegbu, spoke glowingly on the spirit of the team presently, while showering encomiums on Dr. Nwokie, for the opportunity he has offered the youths to expose their talents to the world, and the unquantifiable opportunities inherent in Ikukuoma FC.
He further promised, on behalf of the entire players, to put in a spirited performance when the Nationwide League Two season gets underway in April.
Ikukuoma FC Team Manager, Mr. Chuks Dike, on his part, emphasized the competence and readiness of the players to compete favourably, being that they have been grooming the youngsters to bring out the best in them. He eulogized the club president, Dr. Nwokie for his commitment and overwhelming all-round support to the young team.
John Kingsley Echendu is the Head Coach of Ikukuoma FC and is expected to bring his experience, as a player and coaching at grassroots, to bear and lead the NLO 2 side to win laurels.
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Echendu was a former player of Julius Berger Lagos, NEPA FC Abuja, Dolphins FC Port Harcourt, Anambra FC Onitsha, Anni Chams FC Egypt and Club Deportivo Mongomo, Equatorial Guinea.
As a coach, he previously managed Ele United FC Elele Port Harcourt, Imo Festival Team Zonal Elimination 2020 and also worked as Heartland Queens trainer.
“I have confidence in the players at my disposal, they will surely deliver the goods when the NLO Two season kicks off. Our aim is to gain promotion to the NNL. I am glad that my players understand the objective, and with the unflinching support from the President, Dr. Nwokie, we will achieve our goal,” Echendu said.
FULL LIST OF IKUKUOMA FC PLAYERS UNVEILED WITH THEIR POSITIONS & ASSIGNED JERSEY NUMBERS
4. Adindu ThankGod (Central Degender)
27. Egwin Franklin (Central Defender)
18. Hasan Bakare (Attacking Midfielder)
1. Nwachukwu Chisom (Goalkeeper)
30. Duru Ebuka (Right-back)
16. Eugene Kelvin/(Midfielder)
2. Nkwocha Chisom (Right-back)
26. Ukaegbu Chuka (Midfielder) -captain
17. Unegbu Osinachi Bright (Midfielder)
25. Ummunnakwe Wisdom (Right-back)
9. Ibeh George (Attacker)
3. Okwuchukwu Promise (Left-back)
14. Nkwo Martins Udochukwu (Midfielder)
22. Sabo Stephen (Goalkeeper)
28. Amuzie Kingsley (Centre-back)
6. Eberechi Magnus Adiele ( Centre-back)
33. Onovo Prince Samuel (Right-back)
5. Ukaegbu Ikedi (Central defender)
13. Akande Sheriff (Left-back)
23. Ugoh Maurice (Goalkeeper)
Ezekiel Kenneth Ugochukwu (Winger)
7. Chiedozie Samuel (Winger)
24. Dinnaya Chigozie (Attacker)
20. Uzodinma Shedrack (Attacker)
21. Oguibe Samuel Nnadozie (Midfielder)
8. Emenike Favour (Midfielder)
12. Esukuseide Anthony (Attacker)
11. Ohaei Ujunwa (Attacker)
19. Martins Onije (Midfielder)
10. Ugwunna Richard (Midfielder)
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