2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 5: No big deal facing Rangers International FC, says Amapakabo

Posted : 06 October 2024

The Technical Adviser of Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia, Imama Amapakabo, says he is not perturbed as his team prepares to face the league champions, Rangers International Football Club of Enugu, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.

Abia Warriors, also known as Umu Chineke, will play against the Flying Antelopes on Matchday 5 of the Nigeria Premier Football League at the home side's fortress, "The Cathedral."

The game has attracted attention because Amapakabo, the former Nigeria national Under-23 head coach, will be going up against Rangers, the team he coached to win the Nigerian League back in 2016.

However, while speaking with Abia Warriors Media, the coach said he was not concerned about past history and sees the match as a mission to be accomplished.

"Indifferent, I feel it is a job that has to be done. Fortunately, yesterday, they were able to win their game (against Bayelsa United), so they are on a high."

"As I always say, every game is different from the other," Amapakabo said.

He further stated that the Warriors will fight for the maximum points at stake.

"We have been able to look at the things we need to work on; we’ve worked very hard. We've secured a victory, and now we are going to Enugu, where three points are up for grabs, and I believe it’s going to be an exciting game."

The coach also reiterated his intention to recover lost points.

"I approach every game with victory in mind. Let’s put it this way: I’ve lost three points at home, so I need to recover them at some point. The players know that we’ve worked very hard, and I’m not the kind of coach who sits back. It’s an open game. I like it when spectators feel they got their money’s worth and want to watch Abia Warriors play again," he further stated.

He continued, "Rangers are on a high; let’s not forget that they are the defending champions. We give them the respect they deserve, but we have no fear. We are going to play our game as best as we can."

Head to Head:

Rangers International FC is in 7th place on the NPFL table with 7 points.
Abia Warriors, on the other hand, are in 11th place with 5 points.

- 16/04/24: Rangers 3-2 Abia Warriors
- 26/11/23: Abia Warriors 1-0 Rangers
- 29/03/23: Abia Warriors 2-1 Rangers
- 15/01/23: Rangers 0-2 Abia Warriors
- 05/06/22: Abia Warriors 2-0 Rangers

Izuchukwu Olewunne, Chinedu Uzonwanne, and Izuchukwu Daniel (the latter still recovering from illness) are out of the Abia Warriors squad.

Yakub Hammed, who is on a second spell with Abia Warriors, is back in the squad and has resumed training with the rest of the team.

2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 5: No big deal facing Rangers International FC, says Amapakabo

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