2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 33: Abia Warriors drown Rivers United in Umuahia

Posted : 14 April 2025

Two goals from Emmanuel Ogbuagu and Anthony Ijeoma in either half of the match secured a vital 2-0 win for Abia Warriors against a hard-fighting Rivers United in a pulsating league encounter at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

Having narrowly lost to their neighbors, Enyimba International Football Club, in their last league fixture in Aba, Umu Chineke needed a win to keep hopes of a top-three finish alive — and what a way to respond, battling their way to an emphatic victory in an explosive encounter.

Technical Adviser of Abia Warriors, Imama Amapakabo, made only two changes to the squad that started the last league game. Augustine Njoku replaced Andrew Abalaogu at right wing-back, while Wilson Elu partnered Emmanuel Ogbuagu at the heart of the defence in place of Collins Nwoburuoke, who had played all of Abia Warriors' previous 32 matches without being substituted but missed the game due to accumulated yellow cards.

The match started in explosive fashion, with both sides demonstrating why they occupy top-three positions on the league table.

The first goal-scoring opportunity went the way of the hosts when Emmanuel Ogbuagu's close-range shot in the 16th minute was blocked following a corner kick.

The visitors responded in the 25th minute when former Abia Warriors striker Samson Obi fired a ferocious shot that narrowly missed the target from inside the 18-yard box, following a frightening counter-attack.

It was a warning the hosts heeded, and they kept a constant eye on their former hitman, who was properly marked until he was substituted.

Just when it seemed the first half would end goalless, Abia Warriors' defensive marshal, Emmanuel Ogbuagu, produced a breathtaking goal in the first of five added minutes signaled by the fourth official.

Following a free kick awarded to the Warriors near the center of the pitch, the center-back, noticing the goalkeeper off his line, shot directly at goal to put Umu Chineke in the lead.

At the start of the second half, the Warriors’ bench made a tactical change, as Coach Amapakabo replaced Paul Samson with the fleet-footed David Emmanuel.

Rivers United gaffer, Finidi George, responded with wholesale substitutions in search of an equalizer. However, the Warriors were not to be denied, as a swift interchange of play ended with left-back Isaac Afolabi delivering a sumptuous cross for February 2025 League Bloggers Award winner, Anthony Ijeoma, to score his tenth league goal of the campaign and send the home supporters into a frenzy in the 76th minute.

The Warriors held onto their two-goal lead to cap off a commanding display with an outstanding victory, closing the gap between themselves and second-placed Rivers United to just two points with five matches remaining in the season.

Up next for Abia Warriors is an away fixture against Katsina United in Katsina, on Easter Sunday, April 20.

2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 33: Abia Warriors drown Rivers United in Umuahia

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