It was celebration at the end for Imama Amapakabo and Abia Warriors in Makurdi after a goalless affair with Lobi Stars in the NPFL21 on Sunday evening.
Inside the Aper Aku stadium, with a number of familiar faces in attendance, the visitors, Abia Warriors, came, saw, and left with a very valuable point.
In what was the third match of the three match ultimatum handed to Amapakabo by the Warriors management, having picked two points from the previous two, the 2016 NPFL winner and his Warriors started the game in Makurdi on a very positive note.
Warriors dominated the opening 45 minutes, looking comfortable in their very sleek passing and build up play from the back.
However, despite all their dominance, Amapakabo’s side failed to find a way behind the Lobi defense as the first half ended as it started, goalless.
After the restart, it became a game of two halves as the hosts finally woke up from their first half slumber to take control of the match.
Five minutes into the second half, Lobi Stars had their first real chance of the game, after a very good passage of player, captain, Samuel Mathias let fly a shot which brought the best out of the Warriors goalkeeper, Ojo Olorunleke.
Olorunleke reacted superbly well to deny Mathias with a very low save that looked destined for the bottom corner.
That chance would be the best of the second half as the rest of the game became an offside clinic, even though the two teams brought on familiar faces in a bid to find that elusive goal.
Lobi turned to former MFM FC and Enyimba star, Chukwuka Onuwa, while Warriors called on 2016 top scorer, Godwin Obaje.
But neither could change the outcome of the game as both sides settled for a share of the spoils, a valuable point for Abia Warriors which sparked celebrations from their bench.
The result means Lobi Stars drop from 4th on the table to 5th with 12 points while Warriors remain in relegation waters, 19th with just three points.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the NPFL21, Rivers United are back at the top of the table after a narrow 1-0 win over Adamawa United, Enyimba move up to second following a result against Katsina United.
In Akure, it was a really bad day at the office for Rangers International as they were beaten 3-1 by Sunshine Stars.
Dakkada FC defeated Warri Wolves 2-0 in Uyo, while FCIU and Jigawa Golden Stars won 1-0 and 2-1 respectively against Wikki Tourist and Heartland FC.
