Abia Warriors manage 1-0 win over Warri Wolves

A 50th minute Chinenye Agoha strike gave Abia Warriors a 1-0 win over Warri Wolves in the Nigeria Professional Football League on Sunday.

It was a game the home side needed to win by all means as they have had a poor run in the last two months, including losing twice at home to Sunshine Stars and Plateau United.

After a flurry of misses in the first half, Agoha eventually turned out the one that put smiles on the face of coach Kennedy Boboye for his first win since June 19 when they defeated Heartland 1-0.

“I agree we needed this win badly after the poor run we have had recently and I believe this will be the beginning of a new era for the team.

“Yes, the boys were shaky at first and anxious to score and we could have won this by two or three-nil but in any case we are happy with the win as it came,” Boboye said.

Man of the match, Stanley Okoro gave Joseph Eyimofe lots of work to do in the game starting from the ninth minute when he went past the full back and crossed in the box but Wolves keeper, Dele Ajiboye, punched clear for a corner kick.

Five minutes later it was Okoro again who dribbled into the box and tried to score but Ajiboye punched his effort clear.

Two minutes after that Okoro effort, it took the outstretched leg of Monday Osagie to clear off the line after Ajiboye was beaten from a header.

Stanley Okoro again was on hand two minutes before half time with a glancing header but Ajiboye punched out for a corner.

But when the goal came in the 50th minute, it was Agoha that found space in the Warri Wolves defence to slot beyond the reach of Ajiboye, something, the Warri Wolves coach, Mansur Abdullahi called a lapse in concentration.

“I think we played well but my boys just lost concentration when it mattered most.

"You know this is my first game in charge and we are still trying to get things right with the boys. It's sad to have lost that way, but we will keep fighting and pushing,” Mansur Abdullahi said after the game.

Three minutes after conceding the goal, Efe Yarhere was sent off for a high-footed challenge which the referee considered as dangerous play.

All through the game, the away side, Warri Wolves, managed just one shot on target.

Match details

Abia Warriors: John Shuaibu, Chizoba Amaefule, Valentine Nwabili, Chima Ndukwu (87'), Emma Olowo, Austin Obaroakpo, Chinonye Agoha, Michael Olaha, James Nicholas (65'), Shedrack Asiegbu (81'), Stanley Okoro

Subs: John Gaadi, Chukwuemeka Nwabalogu, Mohammed Garuba, Binaebi Johnson (81'), Ifeanyi Onyeali (87'), Godwin Effiong, Eric Obinna Nwimo (65')

Warri Wolves: Dele Ajiboye, Efe Yarhere, Joe Eyimofe, Solomon Okpako, Liadi Semiu, Uche Ossai, Monday Osagie (60'), Ewenike Achibi, Sikiru Alimi (71'), Eleje Obinna (84'), John Odumegwu

Subs: Eriose Tega, Akpojevwewu Bright (60'), Kelvin Itoya (71'), Efe Ifeta (84'), Udeh Zinte, Uzezi Oghenovo, Emariojake Lucky

Cautions: Sikiru Alimi (Warri Wolves 32'), Uche Ossai (Warri Wolves 41')

Expulsion: Efe Yarhere (Warri Wolves 53')

Match Stats
Abia Warriors 1-0 Warri Wolves
Attempts: 14-1
On Target: 7-1
Fouls: 5-23
Offsides: 2-7
Corners: 7-2

By China Acheru

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Rangers beat Abia warriors to go top of the NPFL

Enugu Rangers Friday night shot to the top of the Nigeria league after they defeated regional rivals Abia Warriors 2-1.

Rangers toppled Wikki Tourists at the summit of the table with 43 points from 25 matches, a point more than the Bauchi club.

The home team deserved their win as they were the more positive team particularly in the first half, while Abia Warriors attack despite boasting Chisom Chikatara and Michael Olaha lacked any sharpness.

Nigeria youth international midfielder Obinna Nwobodo put Rangers in front after 15 minutes, when he fired past Abia Warriors goalkeeper John Gaadi from an acute angle on the left flank.

They doubled their advantage in the 35th minute, when Chisom Egbuchulam tucked away a penalty after the referee adjudged skipper Austin Obaroakpo handled the ball inside his vital area.

It was his 10th goal of the campaign.

After several saves by Rangers Ghanaian goalkeeper Nana Bonsu, Olaha pulled a goal back for Abia Warriors on the stroke of full time to make for a nervy end to this derby.

In first half stoppage time, Rangers striker Bobby Clement saw his effort from inside the box come off the foot of the post. 

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Match Report: Enyimba Vs Abia Warriors (plus photos from match)

By Chinedu laurel Okorodike (Aka Juanizy) 

Follow me on Twitter via @laureldpundit

and Instagram via @laureldpundit


The game started with a quick fire approach from Enyimba which saw Dare Ojo score the only goal of the match from outside the box in the 5th minute. Mfom Udoh had the chance to lay a pass to Christain Pyagbara to tap into an empty net, but Mfom Udoh choose the wrong option shooting straight into the goalkeeper who had an easy catch.

Enyimba looked hungrier and aggressive than Abia Warriors and kept tormenting the Abia Warriors back line led by Ogbonaya Okimiri.

In the 47th minute Joseph Osadiaye missed a glorious chance to put Enyimba two goals ahead after dribbling his way in the process beating Emmanuel Olowo and Valentine Nwabili, but he shot the ball straight at Abia Warriors goalkeeper Anozie Chinedu. 

The first Half ended 1-0 in favour of Enyimba, But the second half started with Enyimba looking extra determined. In the 52nd minute Abia Warriors coach Kennedy Boboye made the first substitution of the game bringing in Michael Olaha who is an attacker for Ogbonaya Okimiri a defender.

Dare Ojo stuck for goal in the 65th minute from the right edge of the box but goalkeeper Anozie Chinedu of Abia Warriors saved brilliantly.

Enyimba coach Paul Aigbogun threw in Ezekiel Bassey for Osadiaye Joseph and Abu Azeez for Ifeanyi Onuigbo in the 67th and 71st minute respectively with the aim to pep things a little.

Mfom Udoh was having a quiet day as Abia Warriors defender Valentine NwabilI kept an eye on him and nullified every move he makes. In the 75th minute Christain Pyagbara laid a nice ball to new comer Ezekiel Bassey, the player dazzled and dribbled past his maker  but shot straight at the goalkeeper who made a brilliant save to deny Bassey. The product of that effort was a corner which was wasted by Enyimba.

Enyimba kept pushing in search of a second goal to kill the game but the duo of Chima Ulocha and Emmanuel Olowo constantly intercepted every planned move by Enyimba. 

Enyimba made their final substitution of the game in the 87th minute replacing Ikechukwu Ibenegbu with Nzube Anaezemba. At the other end Abia Warriors goalkeeper made a quick save to deny Ezekiel Bassey again.

Enyimba held on to win the game and claim the bragging right in the first Abia State derby played out of Abia State.

Stats

Yellow card: Enyimba 1 vs Abia Warriors 1

Red card : none

Possesion :

Corner: Enyimba: 3  vs Abia Warriors 6

Offside (Enyimba):  9

Offside (Abia Warriors):  3 

Substitution: Enyimba:  Ezekiel bassey (IN) Osadiaye Joseph (OUT) 
                                         Abu Azeez (IN)   Ifeanyi Onuigbo (OUT)
                                         Nzube Anaezemba (IN) Ikechukwu Ibenegbu (OUT)


Substitution: Abia Warriors: Michael Olaha (IN) for Ogbonaya Okemiri (OUT)

  
Gallery

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Match Preview: Enyimba vs Abia Warriors

Port Harcourt will be agog as two Eastern teams go against each other in the Nigeria Professional League (NPFL). The epic game is between Enyimba and Abia warriors which is a rescheduled match day 12 NPFL game.

Enyimba has made the Umuahia township stadium their home ground due to the reconstruction work going on at the Enyimba International stadium in Aba which is also the home ground for neighbors Abia Warriors.

Fans of the Aba side are clamouring for a return to their home ground, with section of the fans saying that playing at the Umuahia township stadium has affected Enyimba negatively.

Top Port Harcourt base sports Journalist Chinedu Okorodike spoke to a fan of the Enyimba side (during the Enyimba vs Zamalek CAF champions league match) who simply gave his name as Nnadozie. 

He said and I quote Please, "help me tell our chairman (Mr Felix Anyasi Agwu) and the Governor of Abia State to bring back our stadium. It is affecting us badly. If we had played Zamalek in our home we would have slaughtered them with goals. What type of renovation are they doing that will never end.

Mr Nnadozie

He said and I quote "Please, "help me tell our chairman (Mr Felix Anyasi Agwu) and the Governor of Abia State to bring back our stadium. It is affecting us badly. If we had played Zamalek in our home we would have slaughtered them with goals. What type of renovation are they doing".

Wednesday's game is a must win for Enyimba which will go a long way to booster confidence going into the away game with Sundowns in South Africa. The peoples's Elephant has already lost the steam that saw them win last season's NPFL trophy picking up 8 points from a possible 18 points.

Paul Aigbogun's side must work hard to achieve any positive outcome from this match as Abia Warriors are not pushovers. Chisom Chikatara and his gangs are read to grab a "smash and run" victory if the opportunity arises.

Players to watch 

MFOM UDOH

After playing second fiddle to Ifeanyi Onuigbo during the CAF champions league game against Zamalek. Enyimba will be looking forward to unleash Mfom Udoh on Abia warriors today. 

The striker who won the player of the season award and was the highest goal scorer in the NPFL last season has found it difficult finding the back of the net in the NPFL but has found favour in the Champions League.

The 24 year old Mfom is already bound to join “Sfaxien after an agreement with Enyimba was reached.

Chisom Chikatara was a joy to watch during the last Championship for African held in Rwanda. The Abia Warriors striker scored 4 goals during the competition, a performance that caught the eye of Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco who snapped him up with an agreement reached to join them at the end of the season.

A quick, and agile right-footed striker, Chisom is primarily known for his outstanding pace, mobility, and athleticism as a footballer, as well as his striking power, and his strength, despite his young age. 

Coach Kennedy Boboye of Abia Warriors will be hoping that his priced jewel get things right and cause problems for the Chinedu Udoji led defence.


Kick off time is 4pm and the venue is the Yakubu Gowon stadium, Port Harcourt.

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MFM FC VS NIGER TORNADOES (GAME MOVED TO MONDAY DUE TO WATER LOGGED PITCH)

The Nigeria Professional Football League week 17 fixture between MFM FC and Niger Tornadoes has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Both sides were scheduled to play at the Agege Stadium but the heavy downpour forced it to be called off.

A pitch inspection was set for 1pm on Sunday afternoon, but the game has now been postponed.

The match officials had to take the players’ safety into consideration when making the decision to postpone the game.

It will now take place on Monday morning. Kickoff is 8am.

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