By: Ilekam Ikechukwu (Flakes)
Paul Samson’s first half beauty of a goal made the difference as Abia warriors engaged visiting Sunshine Stars of Akure in okigwe in the matchday 2 of the 2021/22 NPFL season.
A seemingly uneventful opening exchanges suddenly crackled to life in the 28 minute with Abia warriors drawing the first blood through promising winger and captain Paul Samson, who dazzled from the midfield, evaded a couple of opposition players to curl a stunning effort to perfection, leaving the goalkeeper helpless for the game’s opener.
The Owena Waves suddenly rose to the challenge and tried to redress the early setback when striker Hammed Abdul Taofeek found a pocket of space in the closing stages of the first half, but a heroic goalkeeping save from Pius Ibrahim kept the scoreline in favour of the hosts going into halftime.
The visitors came out literally strong in the second half asking questions for parity to be restored, and had a glaring opportunity in the 69th minute as Hadi Muhammed surged into the box with an intentional run, only for the reliable Markson Ojobo to have him dispossessed much to the relief of the home team, with Warriors holding on to their slim lead.
All efforts by the visitors to level matters proved abortive, most notably a late close range header from Samson Olasupo went inches off for a goalkick.
The centre referee eventually brought the game to a climax as the warriors recorded their first win of the season.
Next up for Abia Warriors is a lengthy journey to Ilorin to keep a date with Niger Tornadoes in the matchday 3 fixture as Sunshine Stars welcome Enugu Rangers in Akure.