The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Onyeali

  • Onyeali happy with ‘golden draw’

    Onyeali happy with ‘golden draw’

    Abia Warriors attacking midfielder, Ifeanyi Onyeali is happy with the ‘golden draw’ at top-flight newcomers Mountain of Fire Miracles Ministries (MFM) FC.

    The Umuahia Warriors were held to a goalless draw by the Olukoya Boys in Monday’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matchday 33 clash at the Agege Township Stadium in Lagos.

    Onyeali said the draw will greatly help his side in their quest to avoid the drop in the league season.

    “One point at Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) FC is a good result and actually came at the a time we needed it the most. The draw will greatly help us stave off the scare of relegation confronting us at the moment. Abia Warriors are playing good football; it’s just unfortunate we are not getting the desired results.

    “However, I know we will get it right in the remaining matches on the calendar.

    “Abia Warriors will not go down on relegation, we will certainly remain in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL),” the former Bussdor United star told supersport.com.

    Abia Warriors remain in 16th spot on the Nigerian top-flight log on 40 points, 13 behind league leaders Wikki Tourists.

  • Onyeali injury boost for Abia Warriors

    Onyeali injury boost for Abia Warriors

    Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia has received a big boost ahead of the club’s week 34 Glo Premier League clash against Lobi Stars of Makurdi today as star midfielder, Ifeanyi Onyeali returned to training after missing the club’s last three league games as a result of injury.

    Onyeali last featured for the Warriors on September 20, when he scored the winner in a hard fought 3-2 victory over visiting Warri Wolves in Umuahia. He had earlier sustained a head injury during the match when he collided mid-air with super Eagles right wing back, Solomon Kwambe and was stretched off later.

    He subsequently missed Abia Warriors two away games against Sunshine Stars in Akure and Akwa United in Uyo as well as the epic 3-3 home draw against oriental brothers Enugu Rangers International in Umuahia.

    But Onyeali, who has so far scored five league goals for the Warriors this season after undergoing his rehabilitation programme returned to training to the admiration of Technical Adviser, Isa Ladan Bosso and other members of the technical crew.

    In his reaction, Dr. Enyinnaya Anozie, the head of the club’s medical unit described Onyeali’s recovery as miraculous considering the enormity of the injury and said he has been certified fit to start training again.

    Dr. Anozie, however, said that versatile defender Ogbonnya Okemmiri who sustained a toe injury in a week 27 league game against Nasarawa United of Lafia in Umuahia on September 2 is recuperating fine and will soon be ready to start training again while youngster, Shedrack Asiegbu, who was hit with a bout of typhoid fever after featuring against Sunshine Stars in Akure in a week 31 encounter on September 27, is yet to resume training. Dr Anozie also said that Bolaji Sakin, who sustained a head injury against Akwa United in Uyo about two weeks ago has been discharged from the hospital and is in a stable condition.

    Coach of the team,Ladan Bosso has described the absence of the trio as monumental but expressed happiness that Onyeali, who he said could change the course of any game, was back to action, although he could not confirm whether he would feature against Lobi Stars or not insisting that the bench was still watching him. Onyeali,  told Abia Warriors website that he was happy to be back and will always give a good account of himself, if selected for any match.

  • Kwambe, Onyeali cheat death in Umuahia

    Kwambe, Onyeali cheat death in Umuahia

    Nigerian football averted double tragedy on Sunday in Umuahia after two players collapsed and had to be revived, after several minutes during a Glo Premier League Week 30 tie between Abia Warriors and Warri Wolves.

    It is no news that Abia Warriors secured the available three points at the end of the tie but Seasiders’ Solomon Kwambe  and Ifeanyi Onyeali had to be stretchered off being unconscious after both players collided in an aerial battle.

    Kwambe and Onyeali were brought back to life after several work by the medical team at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

    Kwambe couldn’t continue the match and had to be replaced while Onyeali who came back over 20 minutes after receiving treatment with bandage on his head later got the winning goal in the 54th minute.

    The Media Officer of Abia Warriors, Igwe Onuoha confirmed the incident and he also added that the home team lost their goalkeeper, Bassey Akpan to injury quite early in the game and had to be replaced by Chimezie Anozie.

  • Onyeali set for Oriental clash

    Onyeali set for Oriental clash

    Abia Warriors attacking midfielder, Ifeanyi Onyeali will be available for selection against oriental neighbours, Heartland.

    The former Bussdor star was absent from the side’s immediate past two away matches at El Kanemi Warriors and Wikki Tourists respectively due to malaria fever attack.

    Warriors will host the Naze Millionaires in Sunday’s Nigeria Professional Football League match day 25 clash at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

    Onyeali said the clash will have the trappings of a traditional local derby but his side are hopeful to emerge winners at the end of the day.

    “I’m 100% fit after the bout of malaria attack which sidelined me from our last two away matches at El Kanemi Warriors and Wikki Tourists. I’m available for selection in Sunday’s NPFL match day 25 clash against Heartland in Umuahia.

    “The clash is a local derby and not going to be easy though we pray to come out winners. Heartland will not want to be beaten twice and certain to come out harder than they did in the first fixture clash in Owerri.

    “However, we need to win the whole three points to shore up our position on the league log,” said Onyeali to supersport.com.

  • Onyeali happy to nail Heartland

    Onyeali happy to nail Heartland

    Abia Warriors attacking midfielder Ifeanyi Onyeali is delighted to have scored the match winner at neighbours Heartland.

    Warriors pipped the Naze Millionaires 1-0 in Wednesday’s Glo Premier League match day 5 clash at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.

    Onyeali vowed after the side’s painful 1-2 loss to Wikki Tourists in Umuahia on Sunday that they would reclaim the points at Heartland.

    “I’m really excited about scoring the lone goal against Heartland in Owerri, which handed us the maximum three points at stake.

    “After the home loss to Wikki Tourists we resolved among ourselves to get at least a draw at Heartland but here we are with the whole three points.

    “At least we have recovered the three points we lost to Wikki Tourists and our confidence is back to forge ahead in subsequent matches.

    “Heartland are a great side and actually played their hearts out to salvage something from the match but were a bit unlucky not to have converted a few chances that came their way.

    “So I won’t say the better side won the clash, rather we were able to make our chance counts positively in the game.

    “I’m happy to have scored the goal that nailed Heartland on their home ground after a flawless campaign so far in the competition,” said the former Bussdor United star to supersport.com.

    The hard-earned win at Heartland has upped Abia Warriors’ points haul in the five-week old Nigerian top flight to seven from a possible 15.

  • Onyeali shocks Heartland in Owerri

    Onyeali shocks Heartland in Owerri

    Abia Warriors registered their Nigeria Professional Football League away victory of the season as Ifeanyi Onyeali’s effort stunned Heartland FC 1-0 in Owerri.

    Warriors had lost their recent match 2-1 at home to Wikki Tourists and head coach Ladan Bosso will savour this victory.

    The odds were stacked against the visitors who were up against a team with the best attack in the elite division.

    With Chisom Chikatara leading the line, Warriors embraced a more open, passing game, but it was their organisational qualities that saw them grab the maximum points.

    They are looking to improve on last season’s impressive debut performance and after a home defeat at the hands of Wikki Tourist, this shock victory will raise expectations of doing so.

    Fred Okwara and Emeka Ogbugh had chances to score for the home side in the first half.

    Jimoh Oni saw his cheeky lob go over the bar, with John Gaadi well beaten.

    It was a frustrating afternoon for the Naze Millionaires and they were made to pay for it. The home side’s misery was compounded late on when Onyeali shocked them with a neat finish.

  • 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.