The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abia Warriors

  • ‘Three home wins will save Abia Warriors’

    ‘Three home wins will save Abia Warriors’

    Coach Abdullahi Biffo has said he expects Abia Warriors to stay up in the Nigeria premier league by winning their remaining three home games.

    Abia Warriors are very much in the drop zone in 17th position with 38 points from 32 matches.

    However, they will be at home against Nasarawa, Shooting Stars and Enyimba with a trip to Rivers United their only away game as the season comes to an end early next month.

    Biffo said survival hopes were hinged on the Umuahia club winning those matches after they were held to a 1-1 draw by title chasers FC IfeanyiUbah on Wednesday.

    “We still have three home matches and if we could win all three matches, we will beat the drop,” said former Niger Tornadoes coach Biffo.

    “We have put behind the disappointing draw at home (vs IfeanyiUbah). We have moved into closed training camp for our match on Saturday.

    “My mandate is to ensure the team are not relegated and that is exactly what I am working on.”

    However, it is left to be seen if Abia Warriors will host these games at their home ground of the Umuahia Township Stadium after match officials were attacked soon after the game against IfeanyiUbah.

     

  • Abia Warriors suffer major injury blow

    Abia Warriors suffer major injury blow

    Abia Warriors have been hit by the news that Anthony Okemiri, Chima Onuoha and Chinedu Anozie could be out of action for up to three to six weeks.

    The Umuahia-based outfit were badly hit with various degrees of injuries during Monday’s week 33 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clash against Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) at the Agege Stadium.

    Okemiri became the first casualty when he picked up a groin injury during the first half of the encounter due to the slippery pitch and he was replaced by Sherif Bashir.

    In the second stanza, goalkeeper Chinedu Anozie was also substituted for John Shuaibu when he also sustained  a groin injury while Uzor Chinedu came in for Chima Onuoha who complained of a knee injury.

    Head of Abia Warriors’ medical team, Enyinnaya Anozie confirmed to SportingLife that Okemiri and Anozie would be sidelined for three weeks while Onuoha is expected to be out for five or six weeks.

    Anozie said the players are in stable condition. He added that the injuries are not as bad as it was suspected at the initial stage, stressing that the players may come back early than expected.

    “We are just arriving Umuahia and critical examinations have been carried out on them. They are feeling better now. Their situation is not bad but they would be out of action for some weeks.  We will give them best of treatment and they may come back earlier than expected ,’’   Enyinnaya told SportingLife.

  • Boboye dumps Abia Warriors

    Boboye dumps Abia Warriors

    Kennedy Boboye has resigned from his post as head coach of Nigeria Professional Football League outfit,  Abia Warriors.

    A 0-0 draw at home versus Akwa United ended Abia Warrior’s chances of picking up a continental ticket at the end of the season.

    Following the result at the Umuahia Stadium on Saturday, Boboye took the decision to step down after just eight months at the helm.

    Abia Warriors are 15th on the Nigeria elite division log with 36 points from 29 games despite making a blistering start in the first half of the season.

    “I wish to inform you that I have resigned as coach of Abia Warriors after due consultation with my family,” Boboye told Goal.

    “This decision is personal and has nothing to do with our position on the Nigeria Professional Football League, so I have no regrets.

    “With all humility, I believe the next manager will benefit from the structure and excellent players I left behind.

    “I will like to thank Chief Emeka Inyama for giving me the chance to manage the team after Umuahia people’s heart. I’m also indebted to my technical crew, committed players and teeming fans of Abia Warriors for making my stay worthwhile.

    “I wish the team all the best in the Nigeria Premier League and I believe they have all it takes to challenge for the league title next season,” he concluded.

    Early speculation has suggested Abia Warriors’ southward move in the NPFL could be as a result of conspiracy that greeted coach Boboye’s appointment as interim Super Eagles’ assistant coach on April 21, 2016.

    Abia Warrior’s campaign continues on August 14, when they face Lobi Stars.

  • Nwobodo charges mates to beat Abia Warriors

    Nwobodo charges mates to beat Abia Warriors

    Enugu Rangers’ midfielder, Obinna Nwobodo has charged his team mates to ensure that they go for the three points at stake in their Friday night NPFL Match Day 26 tie with Abia Warriors at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu to show that their goalless draw in Bauchi was no fluke.

    The Flying Antelopes were at their imperious best last Sunday against Wikki Tourists in a tie dubbed battle of league frontrunners and after their draw at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Rangers will go top of the league at least for 48 hours if they beat the Umuahia side at home.

    Nwobodo, a former Flying Eagles star, who was in the thick of action in Bauchi, told SportingLife that a good win over Abia Warriors will help Rangers draw closer to achieving their dream of winning the league title at the end of the season.

    Meanwhile, the Media Officer of Rangers, Foster Chime has told SportingLife that the Enugu side went straight to camp immediately they returned from Bauchi and have begun intensive training ahead of the Friday tie.

  • CHIKATARA BOASTS: Abia Warriors must crush Plateau Utd

    CHIKATARA BOASTS: Abia Warriors must crush Plateau Utd

    Abia Warriors striker, Chisom Chikatara has said his side have shifted attention to the top-flight clash against newcomers, Plateau United after the weekend free fall at former champions, Kano Pillars.

    “The heavy defeat at Kano Pillars has come and gone as we are focused at the task ahead starting with  Sunday’s matchday 25 clash against Plateau United in Umuahia.

    “Although we may not be able to beat Plateau United as many as five unreplied goals but they are sure to take some of the bitter pills we were subjected to at Kano Pillars. No matter how tough the Jos side will come on matchday we must find a way to claim the three points at stake in the match.

    “The loss at Pillars was a huge set-back on our continental ambition so we must fight hard immediately to steady the ship to ensure the ticket does not elude us at the end of the season,” said the Super Eagles marksman to supersport.com.

    Abia Warriors are eighth on the top-flight log on 32 points nine behind league leaders, Wikki Tourists.

  • Chikatara’s deal is done, says Abia Warriors boss

    Chikatara’s deal is done, says Abia Warriors boss

    Abia Warriors chairman Emeka Inyama has exclusively informed AfricanFootball.com  that striker Chisom Chikatara’s overseas transfer has been concluded and he will leave this week for his new club.

    Inyama further told AfricanFootball.com that Chikatara’s new club is in Europe and not any one of those that have been speculated in the media.

    “Chikatara’s transfer has been concluded, he will be playing in Europe, but at this time, it will not be proper for me to reveal the name of the club,” Inyama disclosed.

    “The player and the club are both satisfied with the contract and he will now leave after he picks up his visa in Abuja.”

    Chikatara made the headlines for his four goals at the CHAN in Rwanda earlier this year.

    A celebrated move to Wydad Casablanca was cancelled after the Moroccan club failed to come up with the cash as agreed.

  • Abia Warriors dispel Boboye’s exit rumours

    Abia Warriors dispel Boboye’s exit rumours

    The Management of Nigeria Professional Football League outfit, Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia has described as unfounded, reports purportedly making their rounds in the media that their Manager, Kennedy Boboye is set to dump the club for rival teams ahead of the second phase of the league.

    In a statement, Abia Warriors Chairman, Emeka Inyama said there is no iota of truth in the news as Boboye is still with the club, describing the reports as mere rumours meant to distract Abia Warriors who, according to him, have taken the league by storm this season.

    “Boboye is still under a legal contract with us, so I don’t know where these rumours of him leaving the club is coming from. As we speak now, he has been released to the Super Eagles asa a member of the interim committee to take charge of Nigeria’s international friendly games against Mali and Luxembourg after which he would come back to manage Abia Warriors for the second phase of the league”, Inyama revealed.

    He disclosed that even if any other club desires of Boboye’s services, the proper channel for transfer of players and coaches should be followed.

    “Can you imagine, we have not received any offers from Akwa United or any other club for Boboye and the news is everywhere that he is leaving for Uyo. If any club actually wants him, the club should write us officially and a channel of discussion will be opened as is recognised in the international arena. No team can come from the back door, because it doesn’t work that way. All these are distractions and in any case, he is still under a valid contract with us and so, he cannot even leave”, the Abia Warriors’ Chairman further said.

  • Abia Warriors still in title race, says Ayinde

    Abia Warriors still in title race, says Ayinde

    Kabiru Ayinde has maintained that Abia  Warriors are not yet out of the 2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title race.

    Ainde has, however, refused to rule his side out of the race saying the title contention is still far from over pointing out that: “We are still firmly in it (title contention), we suffered a set back last weekend but we cannot give up, not just yet.

    “There are many matches to be played in the second round of the league and football can be very unpredictable. We will work hard to win many matches in the second round, then if luck is on our side we will win the title,” Ayinde told Goal.

    Abia Warriors are ninth on the NPFL table with 27 points, four points adrift of leaders, Rivers United.

    Warriors play Sunshine Stars in Akure in their next match on June 5.

  • Heartland, Abia Warriors secure home win

    Heartland, Abia Warriors secure home win

    •Naze Millionaires beat Giwa in Owerri

    Heartland endured a downpour but still did enough to earn maximum points against Giwa FC in a NPFL Week 9 tie played at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri yesterday.

    The Jos Elephant were able to hold the Naze Millionaires in the first half of the encounter but there was no stopping the hosts in the 55th minute when Emeka Atuloma put them in the driver’s seat after a clever side dummy from the former Dolphins’ striker before Roland Koffi added the insurance goal in the 88th minute.

    Heartland put behind them the episode in Nnewi and quickly settled down for real business immediately the game kicked off in Owerri but Giwa FC were truly at their best, especially in the first half to the disappointment of the home fans.

    The much expected goal did come 10 minutes from the second half as Atuloma put smiles back to the faces of Owerri fans before Ivorian defender, Koffi got the second goal in the 88th minute of the match.

    Heartland have now amassed 11 points from eight matches in the ongoing season.

    In Umuahia, Abia Warriors defeated spirited Niger Tornadoes 1-0 through a goal scored by Chisom Chikatara seven minutes from full time.

    The Minna based side were close to nicking a vital road point before Chikatara stabbed their hearts with the late strike.

    Abia Warriors are still unbeaten after eight games and have bagged 14 points in the process.

  • Chikatara rescues Abia Warriors in derby thriller

    Chikatara rescues Abia Warriors in derby thriller

    Chisom  Chikatara came to Abia Warrior’s rescue in a thrilling eastern Nigeria derby as the hosts drew 2-2 with Enugu Rangers at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

    Abia Warriors have never defeated the visitors at home in the league and Kennedy Boboye’s men were far from achieving the trick on Sunday.

    Coach Boboye said before the match he expected a Flying Antelope onslaught and it duly followed, as the former Nigerian champions produced wave after wave of first-half attacks.

    The hosts, three points behind leaders Enugu Rangers in the table, got off to a miserable start as Bobby Clement found the net from close range in the 22nd minute.

    The goal stunned Abia Warriors into action and, predictably, they dominated thereafter, but the sheer weight of numbers in Rangers’ defence made life tough for Boboye’s men.

    Chikatara failed to convert headers but Ndifreke Effiong gave the home team a lifeline when he won a penalty for them. He was upended by Orji Kalu in the penalty area as the referee’s decision needed no argument.

    Abia Warriors soaked up considerable pressure at the end of the half, but Rangers ultimately took the lead as Chisom Egbuchulam hit a superb free-kick four minutes to the half time break as goalkeeper John Ghaadi had no idea.

    The visitors made a positive restart to try to break down the four-man Warriors defence with Egbuchulam going close twice in the opening 10 minutes, his second attempt superbly saved by the legs of Ghaadi.

    At the other end the Flying Antelopes’ own defending was less impressive and with 65 minutes on the clock they gifted their hosts a second goal, Chikatara escaping the attention of the defenders to bundle home Effiong’s cross.