NPFL 25: Abia Warriors Pick CAF Confed Cup Ticket

NPFL 25: Abia Warriors Pick CAF Confed Cup Ticket

Precious Oham

Abia Warriors came from behind to defeat El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri 2-1 at the Umuahia Township Stadium, and thus secured a continental slot for the first time in their history, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

As results in other centres filtered in, Umu Chineke knew they would be one of the teams to represent Nigeria on the continent next season as their closest challengers, Ikorodu City of Lagos and Enyimba of Aba, both lost their away games to champions, Remo Stars and Nasarawa United, respectively.

Thus, with only one game remaining to end the season, Abia Warriors opened a four-point gap against their closest rival.

Fears of a possible upset had enveloped the Umuahia Township Stadium when, against the run of play, Muktar Ismail smashed home from close range to give El-Kanemi the lead following a counter-attack that left the Umuahia boys' defence flat-footed in the closing stages of the first half.

But as the game resumed, the Umuahia Warriors went in search of the equaliser, mounting pressure upon pressure on the visitors.

The pressure paid off in the 54th minute when the captain of the day, Ojonugwa Adejoh, capped a fine team move with a well-struck shot to beat the visitors' goalkeeper and restore parity.

The Abia Warriors' enigmatic number eight turned provider in the 70th minute as his well-tailored delivery was headed home by Warriors centre-back Emmanuel Ogbuagu, who stole in from behind El-Kanemi defenders to give the hosts the lead and spark a wild jubilation in the stands.

With Abia Warriors ahead, the visitors' bench effected some substitutions to salvage the day, but Umu Chineke held on to see off the game and claim a continental ticket for the first time in the club's history with one game to spare.

Next for Abia Warriors is a trip to Lagos, where they will take on Ikorodu City to conclude the season.