Abia Warriors of Umuahia held Niger Tornadoes to a 1-1 draw in their Nigeria Premier Football League match in Kaduna on Wednesday, to pull ahead in the continental race for next season, www.aclsports.com reports.
A draw in Kaduna
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Imama Amapakabo’s side were staring at another loss on the road when Mohammed Hussaini put the home side ahead early in the second half. However, a mix up between the Ikon Allah Boys’ defence produced the equalizer with goalkeeper Emmanuel Iwu punching into his own net, and the visitors held on to pick the point.
With the point, Abia Warriors moved one point above Ikorodu City, who defeated Bayelsa United 3-2 in Lagos, and two points clear of 5th placed Enyimba with two games to go.
Speaking after the match, the former NPFL winning coach, Amapakabo, discussed his side’s difficulties in the match day 26 clash played at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.
“Congratulations to the team. First half was difficult because we played against a team that was direct,” Amapakabo started explaining after the game.
“We also had issues with thr bumpy nature of the pitch. But we came back in the second-half, controlled the match and we got lucky in the end”
On the team’s push for a continental place finish, Amapakabo said his side’s remaining games are finals.
“Nigeria is the only league in the world where all 20 teams dream of playing on the continent. It does not happen anywhere in the world.
“However, we are here, no one gave us a chance with two games to go. Our remaining two games are finals, and we will continue to dig and belief we will get results,” Amapakabo concluded.
Umu Chineke’s final two games of the season is against Elkanemi Warriors in Umuahia this weekend, before a final day showdown with Ikorodu City in Lagos.
