Tag: Abia Warriors

Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday 17 delivered a flurry of decisive results across the country yesterday, with Abia Warriors and Shooting Stars securing crucial away victories to boost their campaigns.

In Owerri, Abia Warriors returned to winning ways after a difficult run, edging Kun Khalifat 1–0 at the Dan Anyiam Stadium.

Former Heartland forward Suraju Lawal proved the difference, striking in the 81^st  minute to hand the Umuchineke Boys their first win in six matches. The result lifted Abia Warriors to fourth place on 27 points, while Kun Khalifat slipped into the relegation zone in 18th with 17 points, suffering their third defeat of the season.

In Kano, Shooting Stars continued their steady rise as Sodiq Ibrahim’s early ninth-minute goal sealed a 1–0 win over newcomers Barau FC at the Sani Abacha Stadium. The victory moved the Oluyole Warriors up to seventh on 26 points, while Barau FC remain 19^th with 17 points.

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Elsewhere, Kano Pillars finally avoided defeat on the road, holding Warri Wolves to a goalless draw in Ozoro. Although the result marked Sai Masu Gida’s first away clean sheet in over a year, they remain bottom of the table with 13 points, while Warri Wolves sit ninth on 23 points.

In Minna, Niger Tornadoes delivered one of the most emphatic performances of the round, thrashing El Kanemi Warriors 3–0. Azeez Akintunde opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the fifth minute before Rickson Mendos added a late brace to propel the Tornadoes to fifth place with 26 points, leaving El Kanemi 17^th  on 19 points.

Enyimba also enjoyed a productive afternoon in Aba, defeating Kwara United 3–1 with goals from Samuel Agu and a Chidera Michael brace. Despite Toheeb Gidado’s consolation strike for the visitors, the People’s Elephant climbed to eighth with 23 points, while Kwara United dropped to 12^th  on 21 points.

League leaders Nasarawa United were held to a goalless draw by Plateau United in Jos, a result that keeps the Solid Miners top on 31 points but leaves the door open for Rivers United, who trail by just one point with two games in hand.

Bayelsa United marked an emotional occasion in Yenagoa with a 2–1 comeback win over Remo Stars, while Bendel Insurance and Rangers International settled for a 1–1 draw earlier on Saturday.

Attention now shifts to today’s fixtures, where Rivers United host Wikki Tourists knowing that victory will take them to the summit, while Ikorodu City face Katsina United with a chance to climb as high as second on goal difference.

Matchday 16 of the Nigeria Premier Football League arrives at a critical juncture in a season already defined by tight margins, surprise contenders and shifting momentum across the log. With the title race wide open and relegation battles intensifying, every fixture this weekend carries renewed significance , writes TUNDE LIADI.

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) enters Matchweek 16 this weekend with a blockbuster fixture in Umuahia, where Abia Warriors host the formidable Rivers United in what stands out as the star attraction of the round.

Other high-profile encounters include champions Remo Stars welcoming former champions Enyimba to Abeokuta, while second-placed Nasarawa United set an ambush for in-form Shooting Stars in a spicy Monday night showdown in Lafia.

Eight fixtures headline  tomorrow’s programme, with two more to follow on Monday in Ilorin and Lafia. The weekend action kicks off in Maiduguri as El Kanemi Warriors lock horns with Barau by 3pm at the El Kanemi Stadium. With the Borno Army sitting 15th on the log with 18 points, they desperately need maximum points to steer clear of relegation worries. Barau, 18th  with 16 points, will be equally fired up to avoid sinking deeper, especially with a pending home fixture against Rivers United scheduled for December 18th.

Kwara United face Niger Tornadoes in Ilorin aiming to bounce back from a narrow 3-2 defeat to Barau in Kano. A win would drag the Harmony Boys toward mid-table safety, but Tornadoes—fresh off a morale-boosting victory over Remo Stars—will fancy their chances of causing an upset.

Champions Remo Stars must forget their recent slump as they battle Enyimba at the MKO Abiola Stadium. The Sky Blue Stars have lost back-to-back games against Tornadoes and Shooting Stars, piling pressure on Daniel Ogunmodede’s men to respond. Enyimba ended their own bad spell with a 2-1 win over Rangers but must defy a poor recent record against Remo Stars. Interim coach Lawrence Ukaegbu and incoming boss Ayodeji Ayeni have a daunting task in Abeokuta.

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Rangers, woke up late in Aba last weekend, must now redirect their frustration toward Bayelsa United as they attempt to revive their push to the top. The Prosperity Boys failed to beat Katsina United at home last weekend and need to recover lost points in Enugu.

In Bauchi, 12th -placed Wikki Tourists—fresh off a 4-0 pummelling by Bendel Insurance—host league leaders Ikorodu City. Abdu Maikaba’s men will be eager to appease angry supporters with a statement performance, but Ikorodu City have shown impressive composure both home and away.

The headline fixture comes from Umuahia, where Abia Warriors, now sixth with 23 points, hope to revive their season after a slide that has seen them collect just two points from their last four matches. Their last victory dates back to November 2 in Minna. Facing a Rivers United side unbeaten away after 13 matches and with just one league defeat all season, the Umuchineke Boys must produce their best to halt the Pride of Rivers. Rivers United’s domestic dominance comes in sharp contrast to their CAF Champions League struggles. The question remains: can Abia Warriors end their unbeaten away run?

Elsewhere, Kano Pillars host Kun Khalifat in Katsina with the awareness that anything short of victory worsens their crisis. Plateau United face Warri Wolves in Jos, hoping to put an end to their disappointing run. Monday’s action begins in Ilorin, where Katsina United seek back-to-back wins at their adopted ground as they host plucky Bendel Insurance. The final game of Matchweek 16 sees high-flying Nasarawa United tackle Shooting Stars. A win for the Solid Miners could send them back to the summit—if Ikorodu City stumble in Bauchi

Abia Warriors climbed to the summit of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) table following a hard-fought 2–1 away victory over Niger Tornadoes in Minna, as Matchday 11 served up drama, goals and crucial shifts in momentum across the league yesterday.

Sunday Megwo opened the scoring for the Umuahia-based side in the 38^th  minute, calmly finishing off a flowing move that stunned the home crowd. Just before the break, an own goal by Tornadoes’ Sunday Akinmoladun compounded their misery, giving the visitors a commanding two-goal cushion at halftime.

Although Abdulrasheed Dabai pulled one back for Tornadoes in the 54^th  minute, Abia Warriors held firm to secure their seventh win of the campaign. The victory lifted them to the top of the table on 21 points, two clear of Nasarawa United, who have played one game less. It was a statement win that underlined the Warriors’ credentials as genuine title contenders this season.

Meanwhile, Rivers United produced one of their best performances of the season, edging out Nasarawa United 1–0 in Port Harcourt. Timothy Zachariah’s decisive strike in the 45^th  minute handed the Pride of Rivers their fifth win in nine matches, moving them up to eighth with 16 points. For Nasarawa, it was a setback that cost them the league leadership after a promising run.

In Lagos, Ikorodu City bounced back from recent setbacks with a comfortable 2–0 win over Kun Khalifat. Goals from Chidera Oparaocha in the 29^th  minute and Ibifubara Dagogo on the hour mark pushed the Oga Boys into third place with 18 points, maintaining their impressive home form this season.

Elsewhere, Enyimba ended a winless spell with a morale-boosting 2–0 victory over struggling Kano Pillars in Aba. The People’s Elephant struck twice in the first half to seal the points, moving up to sixth with 16 points. Pillars, on the other hand, remain marooned in the relegation zone with just five points from 11 games, a worrying return for the former champions.

Defending champions Remo Stars suffered a stunning 3–1 defeat in Ilorin as Kwara United ran riot in front of their home fans. The Harmony Boys were clinical throughout the encounter, taking advantage of defensive lapses from the visitors to secure their biggest win of the season.

In Ibadan, Shooting Stars were frustrated to a 1–1 draw by Katsina United, while in Maiduguri, El Kanemi Warriors and Rangers International played out a goalless stalemate.

Bendel Insurance also settled for a 1–1 draw against Warri Wolves in Benin — a result that allowed Wolves to hold on to fourth position on the table.

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Bayelsa United showed great resilience in Yenagoa, coming from behind to beat Plateau United 2–1. Monday Gideon had given the visitors an early lead with his fifth goal of the season, but Emo James’ brace turned the tie around to earn the Prosperity Boys their fourth win of the campaign and lift them to 12th on 14 points.

Barau FC and Wikki Tourists also battled to a goalless draw in Kano, a result that did little to improve either side’s position in the lower half of the standings.

As the NPFL heads into Matchday 12, Abia Warriors will aim to consolidate their position at the top, while Nasarawa United and Ikorodu City look to keep the pressure on in what is shaping up to be a thrilling title race.

NPFL Matchday 11 Results:

3SC 1–1 Katsina United

Niger Tornadoes 1–2 Abia Warriors

Rivers United 1–0 Nasarawa United

Ikorodu City 2–0 Kun Khalifat

Enyimba 2–0 Kano Pillars

Insurance 1–1 Warri Wolves

Kwara United 3–1 Remo Stars

Barau FC 0–0 Wikki Tourists

Bayelsa United 2–1 Plateau United

El Kanemi Warriors 0–0 Rangers

Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia will kick-start their 2025/2026 league campaign with a match against former Nigerian champions, Kano Pillars Football Club following the draw by the Nigeria Premier Football League organisers in Abuja.

Umu Chineke will play host to the Sai Masu Gida boys at the Umuahia Township Stadium, in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.

Bolstered by some new additions to the squad, expectations from the numerous fans and supporters of the Umuahia Warlords are high, as they will expect the team to better last season’s impressive performance where they finished third to pick a continental ticket.

In other fixtures, Premier League debutants, Kun Khalifat will travel to Enugu for a date with former champions,  Rangers International FC, while new boys, Barau FC will test their might against Nigeria’s   most successful football club, Enyimba International in Kano.

The star match in the opening week will be a clash of titans between league champions Remo Stars and fellow CAF Champions league campaigners, Rivers United at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne.

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There will also be another intriguing tie in Bauchi when Wikki Tourists, making a comeback to Nigeria’s top flight, host their neighbours, Plateau United of Jos at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium.

The 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League season will kick-off on Friday, August 22.

The full Match  Day 1 fixtures:

Wikki Tourists vs Plateau United

Katsina Utd vs Warri Wolves

Rangers vs Kun Khalifat

Remo Stars vs Rivers United

Kwara Utd vs Ikorodu City

El-Kanemi Warriors vs  Insurance

Shooting Stars vs Bayelsa United

Barau FC vs Enyimba

Niger Tornadoes vs Nasarawa United

Abia Warriors players and officials have resumed to camp for the 2025-26 season and the start of their build up for their debut in the CAF Confederation Cup.

The Umuahia-based side secured their spot in the CAF second tier club competition after finishing third in the 2024/25 Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) season their highest league placing in history and first opportunity to compete at the continental level.

To make sure they are adequately prepared when the competition kicks off later this year, both players and officials have commenced the first phase of training this week, a top official of the club who wants to remain anonymous said.

CAF is yet to release the preliminary draw, and Abia Warriors’ opponent is still unknown at this time.

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Similarly, Rivers United Football Club of Port Harcourt have equally  began  preparations for the new season, marking a significant step towards building on their impressive performance in the 2024/2025 football season.

Under the guidance of Technical Manager Finidi George, the team held its first full training session on Monday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium’s main bowl, with about 25 players in attendance.

The technical crew and support staff warmly welcomed the players back, charging them to mentally prepare for the challenges ahead.

Finidi George emphasized the importance of readiness, stating, “I welcome you back from the offseason break. Now it’s time to get ourselves ready for the task ahead of time. Welcome back.”

Rivers United’s second-place finish in the NPFL season has secured their spot in the prestigious CAF Champions League. As they gear up for the continental competition, the team is focused on fine-tuning their skills and strategies. Although the CAF draw is yet to be released, Rivers United is diligently preparing for their opponents, whoever they may be.

The first phase of training has commenced, involving both players and officials. With the Nigeria Premier Football League schedule set to kick off in August, Rivers United is poised to deliver an outstanding performance in both the CAF Champions League and the domestic league.

Abia Warriors head coach Imama Amapakabo has urged his boys to put celebrations on hold and channel their energies towards beating Lobi Stars on Wednesday at home in a NPFL Matchday 31 tie.

Adejoh Ojonugwa’s 81^st  minute free kick was enough to hand Heartland their second home defeat of the season and as Imama relished  the important points earned his Owerri  as he has urged his boy be ready to face Lobi Stars.

He said they had been in similar situation in the first stanza when they defeated Bendel Insurance in Benin City only to lose the next home game but the former Super Eagles’ Assistant coach noted that they must learn from that experience and not allow it to recur.

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“To me it was another game. I told the boys before the game that the game we came for would be different from the one we played against them in the first round,” Imama told journalists.

“We came here with a game plan. We knew we needed to keep our heads. We were poor in the first half but we had to re-plan it altogether in the second half. The red card came and then we had to re-strategise. I told them it was nothing different. Psychologically yes they will think that they have a man advantage but at a point in time they started playing long balls as if they had run out of ideas. 

“We recruited about 30 new players. Continental football will be a possibility but we have eight games to go. We play another game in the next three days and to me, the celebration ends on the pitch here because on Wednesday we play Lobi Stars. We must continue what we have been doing. 

“Every point is important at this stage of the season. If we had lost here we would have stepped a little down from the position we last occupied but we won and shot up. This win has given us the belief to go to the next game. We have been in this situation before. We won in Benin and came back home to lose. We have learned from there.”

Rangers International  have dropped out of the top four in the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) after they were humbled 1-0 by Abia Warriors in the Oriental derby at the Umuahia Township Stadium  yesterday.

Rangers had entered the match on a confident note, having secured an important result against league leaders Remo Stars in their previous game, earning a 2-1 victory while Abia Warriors were eager to bounce back from their previous loss to Kano Pillars.

Abia Warriors started the game strongly but their momentum was disrupted when Njoku Augustine was stretchered off just 13 minutes into the match. Despite the setback, the home side continued to push forward and were rewarded in the 43^rd  minute when Anthony Ijoma scored to give them a 1-0 lead just before halftime.

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In the second half, Rangers increased their intensity in search of an equaliser but Abia Warriors’ defense held firm until the final whistle.

The victory was a sweet revenge for Abia Warriors, who had lost to Enugu Rangers by the same score line in the first half of the season courtesy of a goal from Kazeem Ogunleye.

The win propelled Abia Warriors back into the top four with 39 points from 25 matches, while Enugu Rangers dropped out of the top four, trailing Abia Warriors by just one point.

Abia Warriors will aim to maintain their momentum when they face Kwara United in their next match, while Enugu Rangers will seek to bounce back when they host relegation-threatened Sunshine Stars.