Abia Warriors strengthened their push for a CAF continental spot with a confident 2-0 victory over relegation-threatened Lobi Stars on Matchday 31 of the NPFL on Wednesday. The win propelled Imama Amapakabo’s side to third on the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) table with 50 points after 31 games, leaving them seven points behind league leaders Remo Stars, who still have a game in hand.
Fresh off an emotional eastern derby triumph over Heartland FC 72 hours earlier, Abia Warriors wasted no time asserting dominance at home. Sunday Megwo opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, nodding home from an intelligent cross from Paul Samson.
Lobi Stars, languishing at the bottom of the table, battled to claw their way back but struggled against the hosts’ relentless pressure. Their misery deepened in the second half when Ijoma Antoine capitalized on sustained attacking play, netting a decisive second goal that secured all three points for the Warriors.
Amapakabo Praises Team’s Mentality
After the match, head coach Imama Amapakabo praised his team’s focus and resilience, urging them to remain relentless in the season’s final stretch.
“I told the players, ‘We shouldn’t take them for granted, even if they don’t have anything to lose,” Amapakabo revealed during the post-match press conference.
He emphasized the importance of keeping their eyes on the prize without distraction:
“Like I keep telling my players, run as fast as you possibly can, don’t look over your shoulders. Just keep focused, and let’s see where the remaining seven games take us. With this mentality, we are optimistic about the end of the season.”
Elsewhere in the NPFL:
Bayelsa United Stun Rivers United: Rivers United’s title chase suffered a setback as a 13th-minute strike by Kehinde Malik handed Bayelsa United a crucial 1-0 victory.
Goalless in Kano: At the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano Pillars and Bendel Insurance battled to a tense 0-0 stalemate.
Kwara United Triumph in Ilorin: Abayomi Lawal marked his return from injury in style, netting the winning goal in the 64th minute to secure a 1-0 victory over Nasarawa United, who now sit precariously just one point above the relegation zone.
Sunshine Stars Frustrated by Heartland: Sunshine Stars, playing their home matches in Ijebu-Ode, were held to a disappointing 0-0 draw by Emmanuel Amunike’s Heartland FC. Both sides remain in the drop zone, sitting 19th and 17th on the table, respectively.
Upcoming NPFL Fixtures – March 27th:
Fans can look forward to key matchups as the NPFL action continues, with four crucial clashes scheduled:
- Remo Stars vs. Enyimba (Star Match)
- Enugu Rangers vs. Plateau United
- Akwa United vs. Niger Tornadoes
- El-Kanemi Warriors vs. Shooting Stars
With seven games left in the season, the race for continental qualification and survival at the bottom is heating up, promising more drama and surprises in the weeks ahead.
