Written by Goodnews Ilekam
Struggling NPFL side, Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia face a daunting task in the matchday 7 fixture of the NPFL as they make a decisive journey to the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi to square up against an in-form Lobi stars, a duel that has been billed “a make or mar” clash for ultimatum-struck coach Imama Amapakabo-led technical crew.
It has been a turbulent experience so far for the umuahia based outfit as they are yet to record their first win of the season–a distasteful feat that saw Club Chairman, High Chief Emeka Inyama handing coach Imama and his technical crew a 3-match ultimatum that got underway at the Nnewi Township Stadium against eastern rivals FC Ifeanyi Ubah, a game that left both teams with a share of the spoils.
Next challenge was a visit by the defiant MFM team at the recently endorsed Okigwe Township Stadium by the LMC serving as Abia warriors’ new found home. Expectedly, MFM’s defiance paid off as a seemingly uneventful match ended in a stalemate.
The trip to Makurdi could be a lifting or bundling for coach Imama Amapakabo as nothing less than a victory could have him being shown the exit door in Umuahia. It is hard to figure out how a team that has coach Imama Amapakabo’s enviable pedigree alongside a star-studded lineup, opening the innings for themselves, can be so ineffective.
Statistically, since Abia Warriors gained promotion in the Nigerian top flight in 2014, there have been 10 matches between both sides with the warriors winning on 5 occasions and Lobi stars getting victories on 4 occasions, one ended in a stalemate.
The biggest win in this fixture was Abia Warriors’ 2-0 win in Umuahia in October 2015, and September 2016 respectively, alongside the 4-2 away win in Makurdi in august 2017, not forgetting Lobi star’s 2-0 win in June.
In an exclusive chat with Footballflakes.net Lagos, the cordinator of Abia Warriors FC Elder Godson Eluwa had this to say with regards the journey to Makurdi: “we are full of optimism amid the ultimatum, we are going to Makurdi to make a clear statement, the spirit in the camp is so high which speaks of possibilities, we are securing the 3 valuable points in Makurdi”
No matter the outlook in both teams, one thing is certain, a nerve-jangling contest is in the offing in makurdi.