Former Heartland star midfielder, Adejoh Ojonugwa’s 80th minute exquisite free kick gave 10-man Abia Warriors a 1-0 win over Heartland in an Oriental derby decided at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.
Ojonugwa, captain of the week 30 Nigeria Professional Football League encounter, joined Abia Warriors from the Owerri outfit and had hit the bar a few minutes earlier but infuriated his former employers when his second attempt sailed into the net with the goalkeeper watching helplessly.
The goal arrived with Abia Warriors reduced to 10 men after defender Emmanuel Ogbuagu was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Not deterred by the red card, the Warriors brought out the beast in them and attacked their Oriental brothers ceaselessly with strike partners, Sunday Megwo and Anthony Ijoma acting as the arrow heads and it was not long when the Umuahia warlords took the lead which they protected until the centre referee blew off the entertaining game.
The Warriors had lost the reverse fixture at the Umuahia Township Stadium by two goals to nil, and they were determined to avenge that defeat right from the onset.
Abia Warriors Technical Adviser, Imama Amapakabo, made only one change to the side that defeated Bendel Insurance in the last home fixture, Innocent Godwin making way for the experienced Wilson Elu.
The game started in an explosive manner as both sides went directly at each other. The hosts however, started mounting pressure as the first half progressed but they failed to breakdown Warriors defence.
The Warriors nearly took the lead in the 27th minute when Ayodele Ezekiel received a telegraphic pass from Ojonugwa, cut inside and released a shot, but his effort came off the bar.
The hosts retaliated in the 38th minute of play from a goal-mouth scramble but Warriors goal tender, Sharp Uzoigwe made a fantastic save to deny them.
It ended goalless in the first half and the Warriors began the second half in a more enterprising manner, and had the hosts chasing the ball.
A swift change from the bench saw Paul Samson sacrificed for Innocent Godwin after the red card to Ogbuagu and Umu Chineke from there on, started ringing the warning bell.
In the 75th minute, Ojonugwa’s freekick from 33 yards came off the cross bar and five minutes later, the maverick midfielder put the visitors in front from yet another free kick.
Stunned, the hosts tried to fight back, but the Warriors stood like Trojans to see off the game and earn a deserved win.
Up next for Abia Warriors is a midweek fixture against Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi.
