Abia Warriors head coach Imama Amapakabo has told www.aclsports.com that their mandatory switch of base from Umuahia to Aba might have been a blessing in disguise to his team.
The Abia state owned side were sent away from their home ground in Umuahia at the start of the second round of the season but they have now found a perfect home on the Aba turf.
Warriors defeated Ikorodu City 2-1 in their Match Day 35 encounter on Sunday at the Enyimba Stadium, Aba courtesy of two well taken goals by Paul Samson and Valentine Ugwu.
The result made it a fifth consecutive home win for Abia Warriors and keep them in the hunt for a successive continental spot in a fierce battle with Sunday’s opponents Ikorodu City.
“You know me, I’ve always wanted the pitch to be lush for my players to be able to express themselves the way I want to coach them to be,” began Amapakabo to www.aclsports.com after the game.
“Coming to Aba, initially there were so much fear, animosity and all, but all that seems to be rested. We are enjoying our stay here and we’ve been able to get the support from the Enyimba supporters.”
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True to their fears, Abia Warriors drew against Rangers in their first game in Aba, but have now followed it up with eye catching results that have won the Aba fans over.
“Whether you like it or not, I always say one thing; everybody will support beautiful football no matter what. You might not like the people but then football is a beautiful game so once the football is beautiful, you will always support football,” said the former U23 national team coach.
In their quest to finish third at the end of the 2025/2026 league season, Abia Warriors now have same number of points (55) with 3rd placed Ikorodu City after Sunday’s win.
The Umu Chineke Boys will round off their league schedule with games against title contenders Rivers United in Port Harcourt and two against relegation battlers Kun Khalifat and Warri Wolves.
