The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abia Warriors

  • Oliseh watches 3SC beat Abia Warriors

    Oliseh watches 3SC beat Abia Warriors

    Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh was in Ibadan to watch Shooting Stars beat Abia Warriors 2-0 in a Week 26 league match on Sunday.

    3SC now have 38 points from 26 games. Former El Kanemi Warriors striker Sunday Adetunji scored the opening goal in the 28th minute.

    He completed a brace with the second goal to douse the tension as the Chisom Chikatara-led attack in the second half mounted pressure for goal.

    Adetunji has now scored six goals this season.

    In Jos, Giwa FC defeated Lobi Stars 2-0 in a dramatic game.

    Lobi looked good to get a point from the game but in the dying minutes the game turned around for the hosts.

    Hassan Abubakar opened scoring in the 83rd minute, before Aminu Mbai doubled the score two minutes to the end of the game.

  • Abia Warriors will beat El-Kanemi for Ndifreke – Chisom

    Abia Warriors will beat El-Kanemi for Ndifreke – Chisom

    Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia top striker, Chisom Chikatara has said that the team has decided to beat El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri in a Glo Premier League encounter today to celebrate club mate, Ndifreke Effiong’s birthday.

    Chikatara, who has so far scored nine league goals this season including a brace in Abia Warriors’ last home game against Giwa FC, described Ndifreke as a darling of the team.

    “Ndifreke will be celebrating his birthday today, the same day we will be hosting El-Kanemi Warriors so we have decided to win for him. He is one of our best players and a darling to the club”, the Ibeku-born striker told Abia Warriors website.

    Chikatara, who missed about four league games due to injury before he returned against Giwa FC, expressed happiness that he was back to full fitness level and is now ready to contribute his quota towards the realisation of the club’s aspirations.

    Ndifreke remains Abia Warriors’ best performer this season having started 21 of the club’s 22 league games so far and have featured for the team in alternate positions with seven goals to his credit.

    He has already attracted the attention of national team handlers and is one of the 31 boys invited by Coach Samson Siasia to commence preparations for the forthcoming football event of the All-Africa games in Congo Brazzaville where the Dream Team XI has been drawn against Ghana, Egypt and Senegal.

  • Abia Warriors face Dolphins at Liberation Stadium

    Abia Warriors face Dolphins at Liberation Stadium

    The Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt will take the centre stage on August 9 as Dolphins FC host Abia Warriors of Umuahia in one of the week 22 games of the 2014/2015 Globacom Premier League matches.

    In previous encounters between the two clubs in three head to head matches, Abia Warriors won two home games against Dolphins and lost one away.

    Coach Willy Udube of Abia Warriors and his team would have to work extra hard in Port Harcourt to secure three points against stubborn hosts, Dolphins.

    Dolphins on the other hand picked three points from nine points against Abia Warriors. Warriors, however, picked six points from a possible nine points.

    Stanley Eguma, coach of Dolphins on the other hand would be seeking to turn around the club’s previous woeful performance in the first stanza of the season by ensuring a win on their home turf.

    Abia Warriors’ current performance in the last six matches could spur the team to secure an away victory in Port Harcourt. They have won three matches at home, drawn two away, but lost one away to city rivals, Sharks.

    The same cannot be said of Dolphins as the the team has had poor run with three away losses, two home wins and one home loss in their last six matches in the season.

    Eguma would be looking for a way to swim out of their current relegation zone, while Udube would be looking for a place among the top four.

    Dolphins are 18th with 20 points from 21 matches played so far. The team have won four at home in 10 matches and drawn five in 11 away matches.

    The Warriors are eighth  on the league table; they have played 21 matches so far with 33 points.

    The Warriors won nine times but lost twice in the 11 matches played at home.

  • Osuagwu wants winning return for Abia Warriors

    Osuagwu wants winning return for Abia Warriors

    Abia Warriors chief coach, Chijioke Osuagwu has exuded confidence that their return to the Umuahia Township Stadium with a Glo Premier League tie against FC Taraba today would herald them to winning ways for the remainder of the league season.

    The Umuahia side played some couple of matches at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba after the League Management Company(LMC)placed a ban on their home turf but the same league body has sanctioned their return after the body’s inspection team became convinced at the level of work done on the pitch.

    Osuagwu who was once with Heartland FC of Owerri as chief coach told SportingLife that they received their return to Umuahia with happiness and that they are working towards getting the maximum points against the Jalingo Boys today.

    He said it was nice that they beat Crown FC to advance to the Round of 16 of the Federation Cup and that securing another win against FC Taraba will make it a perfect week for the club having secured a win and a draw during the week under review already.

    Osuagwu also commented on the report in the media about the additional of a new coach to the technical crew set up of the Abia Warriors, Willie Udube: “ I am happy that the coach is looking beyond now in the scheme of things. I welcome Udube to our club and I want to say that he will receive all the support he needs to succeeded in Abia Warriors from me. He is not new to me at all having down his industrial attachment when I was the chief coach at Heartland some seasons ago.

    “I am delighted that he is growing rapidly on the job and I also want to reiterate that I am enjoying every bit of my work with the Technical Adviser, Isa Ladan Bosso. As a professional to the core, I want to at this juncture say that I will support and abide with any decision taken by the club to advance the interest of Abia Warriors.

    “We are in Umuahia to stay and I believe that Abia Warriors will still come up more on the league table and also do the state proud in the Federation Cup having qualified for the Round of 16,” Osuagwu told

  • Bolaji Sakin moves to Abia Warriors

    Bolaji Sakin moves to Abia Warriors

    Former Dolphins FC  of Portharcourt  forward, Bolaji Sakin has revealed to SL10.ng why he couldn’t make a planned trip to Turkey and why he choose to complete a move to Abia Warriors.

    The former Wikki Tourist and Dolphins player had a concrete offer from clubs in Turkey but visa delay hindered his dream move to Europe.

    “I felt depressed not to have made the planned trip to Turkey due to visa delay and that didn’t allow me meet up before the transfer window closed but it’s important that I’ve got to move on because I know there are better days ahead, “Bolaji Sakin told SL10.ng.

    On his recent move to Abia Warriors, the striker who was at the Super Four pre-season tournament in Abuja organised by the League Management Company (LMC) said he brokered the deal during the tournament.

    “I chose Abia Warriors ahead of other clubs that showed interest in me because of the way I was approached by the Umuahia based team. Abia Warriors coach, Ladan Bosso and I met during the Super Four in Abuja and we discussed about a likely move that has now been made permanent. I’ll be with Abia Warriors for a season,”Bola Sakin stated.

    Bolaji Sakin, who was part of Dolphins FC journey to the 2014 Federation Cup final said he has set a personal target to help the Ochendo Babes next season.

    “I’ve got to deliver here at Abia Warriors to pay back the respect and trust the club gave me. My personal target is to help Abia Warriors secure a continental ticket just like we did at Dolphins last season,” Bola Sakin concluded.

  • Abia Warriors’ Onyeali relishes Giwa FC clash

    Abia Warriors attacking midfielder, Ifeanyi Onyeali has said his side are prepared for the 2014/15 Glo Premier League match day 1 fixture clash at Giwa FC.

    The Umuahia-based side will be the guests of the Tin City side on March 7 at the Rwang Pam Stadium in Jos.

    Onyeali said the  encounter against Giwa FC will be quite crucial to the side’s successful campaign.

    “We’re quite ready for the upcoming season as well as the match day 1 fixture encounter at Giwa FC in Jos.

    “It’s a good pairing for us starting our new league season campaign on the road, I think it’s healthy and will certainly shape a lot of things for us. I believe we’ll kickoff our campaign on a winning note at Giwa FC though we’re equally expecting a difficult challenge, too from the hosts.

    “Of course, we attached great importance on the first away match as victory in the match will go a long way to boost our confidence and morale in subsequent matches.

    “Last season we’re not too lucky to achieve our continental dream despite the energies we put in to see the target become a reality. However, this time around we’re setting out on that platform to ensure continental ticket don’t elude us.

    “That’s our main target and we’re determined to work extremely hard to make it a reality by the time the season will come to an end,” said the former Bussdor United FC marksman to supersport.com.

    Abia Warriors pocketed four points off Giwa FC in the out gone 2013/14 Glo Premier League season.

  • INJURY RULES CHIKATARA OUT OF BAYELSEA UTD TIE

    INJURY RULES CHIKATARA OUT OF BAYELSEA UTD TIE

    Abia Warrior striker, Chisom Chikatara will not be available for his side Glo Premier League match day 33 encounter against Bayelsa United on today at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

    The free-scoring striker picked a yellow card each in his side’s clash against Kaduna United as well as in match day 32 encounter at Akwa United in Uyo on Sunday.

    Chikatara said ruefully that he had anxiously waited for the clash to unleash his full weight on Bayelsa United having missed the first fixture against the side at their adopted ground in Benin.

    “I’m suspended for the match against Bayelsa United on Thursday(today) due to cards I picked against Kaduna United and Akwa United.

    “Of course, I feel bad that I won’t play a part in the game I keenly waited to feature after missing the first leg in Benin against Bayelsa United.

    “However, I’m confident my absence won’t hurt us badly as we’ve quality replacement who will perform creditably well.

    “We’re taking maximum six points off Bayelsa United this season and that can’t be negotiated.

    “Though we don’t expect Bayelsa United to go down  without a fight,  we know how to  handle them perfectly well.

    “We’re boosted with the point at Akwa United going into the Thursday’s clash, we’re certain to grab the three points to further boost our push to the summit,” said Chikatara to supersport.com.

    The Glo Premier League newcomers are fifth on the 20-team elite league log on 48 points from possible 96 at the conclusion of week 32 matches.

  • Thomas seeks revenge against Abia Warriors

    Thomas seeks revenge against Abia Warriors

    Ahead of today’s Abia derby in the  Nigeria professional football league between former champions Enyimba and high flying Abia Warriors, Enyimba goalkeeper Femi Thomas says there is no pressure on them ahead of the game but admits it is one in which getting the three points is most vital.

    “The mood in the camp is normal. There is no pressure on us and honestly, there is nothing special about the game.

    “What is on our minds is to simply go there and win. We will treat it as one of those away games where there will be a lot of pressure from the home fans but we have revenge on our minds. They came to Aba and went away with a win.

  • Transfer: LMC places embargo on 17 clubs

    Transfer: LMC places embargo on 17 clubs

    The League Management Company (LMC) has slapped clubs that are yet to fulfill their financial obligations to players with transfer embargoes, amongst other heavy sanctions, kickOffNigeria.com reports.

    The LMC revealed that only three of the 20 clubs in the topflight have been able to establish that they have met their obligation to players at the end of the first stanza of the season.

    The three clubs are – Kano Pillars, Abia Warriors and Bayelsa United. While 17 other clubs have not responded to a July 18 deadline to establish proof of compliance.

    A statement from the Chief Operating Officer of the LMC, Salihu Abubakar, said the three clubs have as a result been the only Glo Premier League clubs that can buy players or secure players on loan in the on-going mid-season transfer window.

    The LMC had pursuant to Sections 8.1.1 and 9.46 of the 2013/14 Rules and Frameworks, which deals with clubs’ Finance and Players Remuneration respectively, through a letter dated July 10 directed all clubs to provide evidence of compliance to payment of players’ wages.

    The letter requested the clubs to furnish the LMC with such evidence that may include electronic or hard copy of clubs’ payroll, evidence of payment including bank transfers or signed vouchers and any other proof the club may make available.

     

  • Abia Warriors allege gang up

    Abia Warriors allege gang up

    Technical Adviser of Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia, Issah Ladan Bosso has described the current not too good performance of the team in recent times as a temporary setback which will soon be overcome.

    Speaking to newsmen at the Jolly Nyame Stadium in Jalingo after his boys engaged FC Taraba in a Glo Premier League encounter; the highly experienced tactician said there was no cause for alarm yet as Abia Warriors will overcome its present challenges.

    He, however, expressed worry at the type of officiating his team has received in some of their games particularly in the encounter with FC Taraba and called on the League Management Company(LMC), which he said is doing everything to sanitise the league, to call such referees to order in order not to drag the league into disrepute.

    The former flying Eagles coach pointed accusing fingers at a particular referee who he said handled the Abia Warriors match at Umuahia with Kano Pillars who also handled their game with FC Taraba, less than one month in between and posited that the man  in  black is probably on a mission to destroy Abia Warriors.

    According to him, the referee’s questionable officiating against the warriors during the game culminated in allowing a goal which he said was scored from an obvious off-side position and wondered what has been his mission.

    The former Kano Pillars, Niger Tornadoes, Wikki Tourists and Bayelsa United Sweat Merchant, said there seems to be a gang-up against Abia Warriors but assured their fans that the club will soon rediscover their killer instinct and regain their pride in the elite league.