NPFL: Otop’s Late Strike Sinks Warri Wolves In Umuahia

Otop’s Late Strike Sinks Warri Wolves In Umuahia

By Admin

Abia Warriors Of Umuahia returned to winning ways as the Umuahia Warlords piped visiting Warri Wolves in one of the NPFL 2019/2020 season Matchday Seventeen fixtures at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

The Umuahia Warlords who are in dare need of points and wins ambushed the Seasiders to annex maximum points to make up the team Oriental Derby lose to Rangers International in Matchday Sixteen.

The Seasiders stormed the city of Umuahia heads high and still basking in the euphoria of their Matchday Sixteen vital away win against Nasarawa United at the Lafia Township Stadium.

The epic encounter kicked off with a high tempo as both teams huffed and puffed at each other with an intense battle in the middle.

It was the seasiders who were the first to make a statement in the highly explosive game as former Abia Warriors striker Daniel Mark intiated a fast break to set up Atsimene Charles with a through pass but the latter failed to be clinical as his effort flied pass the Upright post of Goalkeeper Edwin Nwakanma.

Coach Evan’s Ogeyi tutored side who were business minded came close minutes later with another attempt as Wisdom Jumbo inswinger from a corner kick rattled the cross bar and bounced to safety.

The Umuahia Warlords wrestled compact Warri Wolves team to regain its rythm, the team first attempt on goal was brilliantly thwarted by Warri Wolves right full back Agwaraza Daniel who rescued going down with a goal line clearance to deny Oni Jimoh his goal bound effort.

Abia Warriors gaffer Emmauel Deutsch effected his first substitution of the game before the half time break as he introduced sensational winger Paul Samson for Emeka Isaac thus changing the team formation of 4-3-3 to 4-4-2.

Abia Warriors Bello Lukman well taken set piece at the edge of the box nearly gave the Warriors lead as half time break beckoned but his effort swerved on the wall and bounced to safety.

Both teams returned to the locker room with Abia Warriors having an edge in the game with a good number of shots on target and possession superiority.

Both sides returned from the tunnel for the second stanza and it was the Umuahia team who kept on pressurizing the opponents in search of a curtain raiser but the Seasiders kept it solid to keep the game on level terms.

The two coaches effected their substitutions in search of a change in the game dimension. The first chance of the second halve came from the visitors, all thanks to Abia Warriors skipper Austin Obaroakpo who made a quick recovery to halt Substitute Victor Baba goal scoring opportunity.

Unfortunate Abia Warriors had their hope of a winner dashed at the 88min as its Striker Bello Lukman spot kick got parried away by GK Ameh Godwin to the fans amazement.

Abia Warriors substitute and former Warri Wolves striker Okon Otop rescued the situation when all hope was almost lost at exact 90min. He strategically positioned in the visitors 18yard box to blast home from a close range as Gk Ameh Godwin parried Yakub Hammed shot to his side.

It was a wild celebration at the Umuahia Township Stadium afterwards by Abia Warriors Supporters and spectators present as Otop solitary strike calmed all tensed nerves.

The vital win ensured the Umuahia Warlords ends its last home match of the first stanza on a good note as the team will engage in double away fixtures against Nasarawa United and Enyimba International.