Abia Warriors winning streak against Kano Pillars Football Club of Kano, continued as the Umuahia based outfit defeated the visitors 2-0 at the Umuahia Township Stadium, in the Matchday 4 of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League.
Two first half goals from Sunday Megwo and centre back, Emmanuel Ogbuagu, condemned Sai Masu Gida to a second successive defeat in the league.
It was the Warriors first victory of the league campaign, as well as their first win at home.
Abia Warriors Technical Adviser, Coach Imama Amapakabo, made only one change to the side that drew against Sunshine Stars at Ijebu Ode, Sunday Megwo getting the nod ahead of Anthony Ijoma in attack.
It was the latter’s first start in the league and he capped it with the first goal at home for Abia Warriors.
Expectedly, it was the home side that came out smoking right from the blast of the referee’s whistle, Sunday Megwo combining well with Paul Sampson and Ayodele Ezekiel to pile pressure on the visitors defence.
The Warriors pressure paid off in the 16th minute of play as Sunday Megwo was at the end of a defence splitting pass from Ojonugwa Adejoh, rounded the on-rushing goalkeeper before slotting into an empty.
It was a goal that the home fans have been yearning for, and it was greeted with a roar of joy.
And they had another moment to savour in the 38th minute as Umu Chineke doubled the lead.
A corner kick to Abia Warriors started with a short pass from Paul Sampson to Philip Ogwuche, who squared the ball into the visitors vital area for the unmarked Emmanuel Ogbuagu to rise the highest and head at goal, but the ball came off the crossbar and he reacted the quickest to kick the rebound into the net for his first league goal and send the spectators into frenzy.
The first half ended 2-0 in favour of the Pride of Abia, and it would have been more had the Umuahia boys converted the chances that came their.
The second period started with the Sai Masu Gida controlling proceedings, their captain and league veteran, Rabiu Ali pulling the strings.
With pressure piling on the home side, Coach Imama had to make tactical substitutions to stem the tide, Ogunjimi Samuel and Daniel Ekpo coming on for Philip Ewuga and Ayodele Ezekiel.
From there it became a cagey affair, and despite wholesale substitutions from both coaches thereafter, there were no further goals scored, and Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia held on to see off the game and claim the maximum points at stake.
Up next for Abia Warriors is an Oriental derby against league champions, Rangers International Football Club at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
