2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 1: Unhappy Amapakabo keeps mum over loss to Remo Stars

Posted : 09 September 2024

A visibly unhappy coach of Abia Warriors, Imama Amapakabo, has kept silent over his side’s inability to contain the firepower of Remo Stars in the opening fixture of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) at Umuahia Township Stadium.

Amapakabo, who declined to speak, was upset over the outcome of the match, which saw him losing his first game as a coach in his second spell at the club.

The Ochendo Boys of Umuahia began their 2024/2025 NPFL campaign with a disappointing 0-2 loss to the visiting Remo Stars FC of Ikenne.

The match could have turned out differently had the Warriors capitalized on the chances that came their way, especially in the first 15 minutes of the game.

Coach Amapakabo, in his second stint with the Umu-Chineke team, gave five new signings—Ogunjimi Samuel, Philip Ogwuche, Innocent Godwin, Ogbuagu Onyekachi, and Olewunne Izuchukwu—their Abia Warriors debuts in the first week of the game.

Anthony Ijoma was preferred in attack ahead of injury returnee Sunday Megwo, while Ali Ishaku was in goal. Captain Augustine Njoku retained his place at right back, and Collins Nwoburuoke paired with Ogbuagu at the heart of the defense.

The other retained players who started the match were Adejoh Ojonugwa in midfield and Ayodele Ezekiel on the right wing.

The Warriors took the game to the visitors right from the first blast of the referee's whistle, and they could have opened the scoring within the first minute.

Ayodele escaped his marker and squared the ball to Izuchukwu to slam into the net, but the latter fluffed his chance, much to the dismay of the packed arena.

A minute later, a long pass from Ogbuagu found the unmarked Anthony, but he failed to make it count.

In the 21st minute, the Remo Stars defense failed to clear a corner kick from the Warriors, and Ayodele pounced with a ferocious shot that hit the upright.

The first half was characterized by Abia Warriors' dominance, but a goal was the only thing missing as both sides went into the break with the score still 0-0.

The Warriors could have taken the lead in the first minute of the second half, but Ogunjimi failed to direct Izuchukwu's cross toward the goal. It was the fourth time the home side had come close to scoring.

The Warriors paid dearly for those misses when, totally against the run of play, Remo Stars took the lead three minutes later. A momentary lapse in concentration allowed Sodiq Ismail to volley home a lofted pass.

The visitors doubled their lead when Abia Warriors' defense failed to clear a corner kick at the half-hour mark, allowing Jide Fatokun to take full advantage and head the ball into the net.

Despite several substitutions by the Warriors' bench, the home side could not find the back of the net, and the match ended 2-0 in favor of Remo Stars.

2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 1: Unhappy Amapakabo keeps mum over loss to Remo Stars

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