Abia Warriors got off to a winning start in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) with a 1-0 victory over Kano Pillars. Paul Samson’s 35th-minute goal proved decisive, handing the home team all three points.
The victory erased the agony of last season’s opening game loss to eventual winners Remo Stars, and gave the home supporters something to cheer.
Abia Warriors paraded six new signings in the line-up, with former Heartland striker Suraj Lawal leading the attack, as Umu Chineke dictated play.
He would have opened the scoring for the Warriors in the 21st minute when put through on goal, and with only the goalkeeper to beat, he fluffed the chance.
The Warriors, however, took the lead 14 minutes later from a corner-kick, after the visitors failed to clear Paul Samson’s corner, and the Cross River State-born attacker followed up his delivery to poke home from a goalmouth scramble to end a cagey first half in favour of the home side.
The game became end-to-end in the second half, and the introduction of former Edel FC forward, Chindi Merpring, nearly increased the tally for the Warriors, but his headed efforts came off the crossbar and the upright in the 63rd and 83rd minutes respectively.
In-between those moments, Chindi was unlucky not to score from about 10 metres after toeing the ball off the foot of the visitors’ goalkeeper, Abuchi Okeke who tried to dribble him, but the ball agonisingly rolled away from goal to the chagrin of the Abia Warriors bench and fans.
The Warriors held on despite a late fight-back from Kano Pillars to end the game on a winning note.
This result showcases Abia Warriors’ determination and skill, while Kano Pillars will look to regroup and bounce back in their next match.
Up next for Abia Warriors is an away game against Nasarawa United in Lafia.
Source/Abia Warriors Media
