IfeanyiUbah 0-2 Nasarawa United
El-Kanemi 1-0 Wikki Tourists
Dolphins 2-1 Heartland
Sharks 1-0 Kwara United
FC Taraba 2-1 Había Warriors
Kano Pillars 1-0 Akwa United
Bayelsa United 1-2 Sunshine Stars
Giwa 1-0 Shooting Stars
Lobi Stars 2-0 Rangers
Enyimba 0-0 Warri Wolves
Abia Warriors petit mid-fielder, Anthony Okemmiri shone like a million stars and was voted the man-of-the-match by sports writers who covered the week 36 Glo Premier League encounter between Abia Warriors Football Club and Enyimba International of Aba at the Umuahia township Stadium at the weekend which Enyimba won 1-0.
The Uzuakoli, in Abia State – born former Dolphins of Port Harcourt and Kwara United Utility player, who joined the Umuahia based Warriors this season, also won the maiden edition of the award in Abia Warriors’ last home match against Lobi Stars of Makurdi a fortnight ago also in Umuahia.
Tony beat his closest rival, Mfon Udoh of Enyimba who scored the only goal in the Abia derby to cart home the award instituted by the Abia Warriors management to encourage the players put up their best during home games.
Receiving the award from a business mogul Chief Obioma Okorie, Tony expressed gratitude to the management of Abia Warriors for initiating the award, adding that he was humbled and honoured to win it back-to-back and particularly against a star- studded Enyimba side promising that he will continue to do his best to lift Abia Warriors to greater heights.
Earlier, Chief Obioma Okorie, who was the guest of honour at the match, described Tony as a highly skilful footballer, predicting that he would go places if he keeps his head low.
The much publicized Abia “el-Classico”, lived up to expectations as the two sides kept it tight. Enyimba was awarded a penalty in the first half but captain, Chinedu Udoji shot tamely into the waiting hands of Chinedu Anozie, in goal for the Warriors.
As the game wore on, the capacity crowd which included the State Governor Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, thought it could end goalless until substitute, Mfon Udoh broke lose from the left side and dragged the ball beyond Bassey Akpan.
The Warriors attack, led by Super Eagles striker, Chisom Chikatara, bombarded the Enyimba defence ceaselessly but could not find the equalizer.
It is going to be battle royale on Sunday, the 1st of November, 2015 when Abia Warriors Football club of Umuahia host league leaders, Enyimba international of Aba in what has been widely described as the “Abia el-classico”.
The Peoples Elephant will be visiting Umuahia with the intention of breaking the jinx of never defeating their oriental brothers in the Premier league since the capital club made it to the elite class two seasons ago. In their previous three meetings, Abia Warriors have an edge with a win and two draws.
In their first Premier league season, Abia Warriors, with 1-0 win became the only team to beat Enyimba in their fortress in Aba while the second leg encounter ended 3-3 in Umuahia. Earlier this season at the Enyimba International stadium, Aba, the two sides settled for a 2-2 draw.
But on current form, Enyimba on 65 points lead their neighbours by 15 points and the six-time Nigerian Champions are gunning for their seventh title and do not see the Warriors stopping them. On 60 and 59 points respectively, Giwa FC of Jos and Warri Wolves are however giving Enyimba a run for their money but luckily, Enyimba’s last home match of the season is against the Seasiders in Aba.
So Enyimba’s Championship ambition is not actually tied to the Abia Warriors match on Sunday contrary to the widely held view but rather the match against Warri Wolves where they have their fate in their own hands.
A victory against the Wolves in Aba will see them win the league even with a game to spare against Sunshine Stars in Akure on the last day of the league and irrespective of the result in this weekend’s encounter against the Warriors who have won 14 of their 17 home games so far this season.
For Giwa FC, a team of the moment that have lost only seven of their 35 games so far, their two away matches against Heartland in Owerri and neighbours Nasarawa United in Lafia could determine their ambition of picking a continental ticket although they are expected to win their only remaining home game against Shooting Stars of Ibadan before their visit to Lafia.
In all, the Abia Warriors Chairman, Chief Emeka Inyama has called on the Enyimba and Abia Warriors officials, Players and Supporters to maintain a high sense of decorum before, during and after the game on Sunday as government will not be happy with anybody whose conduct could tarnish the image of the state using the match as a cover to ferment trouble.
Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia has received a big boost ahead of the club’s week 34 Glo Premier League clash against Lobi Stars of Makurdi on Wednesday as star midfielder, Ifeanyi Onyeali returned to training after missing the club’s last three league games as a result of injury.
Onyeali last featured for the Warriors on September 20, 2015 when he scored the winner in a hard fought 3-2 victory over visiting Warri Wolves in Umuahia. He had earlier sustained a head injury during the match when he collided mid-air with super Eagles right wing back, Solomon Kwambe and was stretched off later.
He subsequently missed Abia Warriors two away games against Sunshine Stars in Akure and Akwa United in Uyo as well as the epic 3-3 home draw against oriental brothers Enugu Rangers International in Umuahia.
But Onyeali, who has so far scored five league goals for the Warriors this season after undergoing his rehabilitation programme returned to training to the admiration of Technical Adviser, Isa Ladan Bosso and other members of the technical crew.
In his reaction, Dr. Enyinnaya Anozie, the head of the club’s medical unit described Onyeali’s recovery as miraculous considering the enormity of the injury and said he has been certified fit to start training again.
Dr. Anozie, however said that versatile defender Ogbonnya Okemmiri who sustained a toe injury in a week 27 league game against Nasarawa United of Lafia in Umuahia on 2nd September is recuperating fine and will soon be ready to start training again while youngster, Shedrack Asiegbu, who was hit with a bout of typhoid fever after featuring against Sunshine Stars in Akure in a week 31 encounter on September 27, is yet to resume training Dr Anozie also said that Bolaji Sakin, who sustained a head injury against Akwa United in Uyo about two weeks ago has been discharged from the hospital and is in a stable condition.
Bosso described the absence of the trio as monumental but expressed happiness that Onyeali, who he said could change the course of any game, was back to action, although he could not confirm whether he would feature against Lobi Stars or not insisting that the bench was still watching him. Onyeali, himself told Abia Warriors website that he was happy to be back and will always give a good account of himself, if selected for any match.
Chairman of Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia, Chief Emeka Inyama says the club will introduce more innovations that will ensure a full house whenever Abia Warriors are playing at home.
In the team’s last home game at the Umuahia Township Stadium against Enugu Rangers International, various music artistes entertained the fans before, during half time and after the game while spectators were also rewarded with the club’s mementos a like FIFA approved footballs, club’s replica jerseys and team bags among others during a raffle-draw.
Parents, who made it to the stadium with their children were also rewarded with the “Family Pack” which contained various items for the children’s’ delight.
Most of the winners of the items expressed happiness at the gesture by Abia Warriors and pledged that they will not fail to attend any of the team’s remaining home matches.
Abia Warriors chairman, Chief Inyama told the club’s website that this is just the beginning of the goodies that await spectators during the club’s home matches, insisting that it is simply a way of saying “thank you” for their support and commitment all season.
Four Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clubs have been charged by the League Management Company (LMC) for various breaches bothering on failure to provide adequate security and unacceptable supporters behavior even as match officials involved in three of the ten games of Match Day 32 also received queries. The Chairman of Heartland FC Supporters Club, one Iyke Jacob was handed a six match ban for acts of intimidation and harassment of Referees. Enyimba’s Coach, Khadiri Ikhana was also charged for making public comments that are deemed inimical to the promotion of the league and was fined N100, 000.
Nasarawa United, Giwa FC, Abia Warriors and Heartland FC were fined minimum of half a million Naira as the LMC exercised Summary Jurisdiction after thorough investigation of reported crowd incidences during the matches involving the four sides.
In the various notices of Summary Jurisdiction signed by the LMC Chief Operating Officer, Salihu Abubakar and sent to the clubs, they were issued the statutory 48 hours notice to submit to the decisions of the LMC or indicate in written response a choice to appear before a panel.
The LMC ruled that comments made by Ikhana during a post match interview did not portray the league in good light contrary to his responsibilities as a Manager under article 14 of the Code of Conduct for Managers and Coaches.
In specific rulings concerning the affected clubs, Giwa FC as hosts of the fixture against Kano Pillars was cited for breach of Article C1 and B15.16 and consequently fined N500, 000 and N250, 000. For the unruly behavior of their fans which Article B15.16 makes clear is a responsibility of the club, Giwa FC was fined N500, 000 while another fine of N250, 000 was imposed on the club for failure to ensure adequate security at match venue. Recalling that Giwa FC had been cautioned after Match Day 1 against Abia Warriors for similar breach, the club was issued a final warning failing which it will be subjected to a stadium ban to supporters and or relocated to a neutral venue.
Nasarawa United was also cited for unruly conduct of their fans in the match against Lobi Stars, fined N500, 000 and warned against a repeat which will lead to stadium ban to supporters and relocation to neutral venue.
Like Nasarawa United, Abia Warriors and Heartland were also fined N500, 000 for unruly behavior of fans and failure to provide hitch free match day experience. Abubakar said “the sanctions are a demonstration of the LMC’s strong objection to failure on the part of clubs to provide hitch-free match day experiences for the thousands of fans who have since the implementation of various reform initiatives been returning to the stadiums for NPFL games”.
On the Referees, Referee I. Indabawa from Kano and his two Assistants from Kwara State, M. Surakat and S. O Toyin were recommended for investigation by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Referees Appointment Committee for below par performance in the Abia Warriors vs Rangers fixture. Also recommended for investigation was Assistant Referee A. Bulus from Abuja for deficiencies in the handling of the Heartland FC vs Enyimba match while the Center Referee, B. Odey from Abuja was reprimanded and advised to improve performance and control of match proceedings. James Amadin from Edo State also received a reprimand and caution to improve match management. The Referees recommended for investigation were also requested to be withdrawn from further handling of matches in the NPFL until after the conclusion of investigation.
The LMC said it has increased match monitoring to ensure that clubs maintained the decorum that has prevailed all through the season and cautioned that “we can not allow some fans still steeped in the old order to bring to disrepute the integrity, pleasant match day experiences and increased positive public perception of the league”. Abubakar said the “LMC is aware that majority of the thousands of fans who throng league venues are law abiding, passionate lovers of the game and we assure these loyal fans that they will be protected to enjoy the improving quality of our matches at all times”.
Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia lethal striker, Chisom Chikatara, who scored a hat-trick last weekend in Umuahia against visiting Enugu Rangers International in a week 32 Glo Premier League encounter, said he would have preferred all the three points for his team rather than the individual glory of scoring a hat-trick in a 3-3 home draw.
Chikatara, who looked forlorn after the game despite his heroics, said Abia Warriors needed all the three points at stake to improve their standing on the league table and boost their chances of picking a continental ticket at the end of the season.
“I thank God for giving me three goals today but I would have loved it more if we won the match. For me at this time, three points is better than scoring three goals and sharing the points”, the Ibeku-Umuahia-born striker told Abia Warriors website.
The 20-year-old who has now netted 13 league goals this season and is just two goals shy of the 15 so far scored by Nasarawa United’s Esosa Igbinoba who leads the pack, noted that his team worked hard enough to grab all the three points at stake, but lamented that fate played a fast one on them as Rangers equalized to make it 3-3 during the second minute of the added three minutes in the 92nd minute.
Chikatara said Abia Warriors will not relent as they are looking forward for better outings in their future encounters, pointing out with six matches to end the season, they are still very optimistic that a continental ticket was still realizable.
GLO PREMIER LEAGUE MATCHDAY 31 RESULTS
Pillars 1-1 Wolves
FC Taraba 1-1 El-Kanemi
Lobi Stars 0-0 Shooting Stars
Rangers 2-1 Kwara United
FC IfeanyiUbah 1-1 Giwa FC
Enyimba 2-0 Wikki Tourists
Sunshine Stars 1-0 Abia Warriors
Sharks 1-0 Dolphins
Akwa United 2-0 Nasarawa United
Bayelsa United vs Heartland (pp)
The Chairman, Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia, Chief Emeka Inyama, has challenged various state football associations to organize strong and virile league for local clubsides in their states to act as a foundation for the discovery of burden stars who could be nurtured for national teams.
Chief Inyama, who threw the challenge in Umuahia when members of the Abia State Football Association called on him, lamented that local State league competitions which created waves in the past, was fast becoming extinct as most state FAs no longer pay serious attention to it.
He noted that going back to the grassroots will enable the country discover more hidden talents and promised that Abia Warriors Youth Team will participate actively in the State league which the Abia FA is planning to organize.
The Abia Warriors Chairman, who is also the chairman of the Nigeria National League Board, commended the cordial relationship currently existing between the Abia FA and clubsides in the State, pointing out that the situation is so because the members are united.
He used the opportunity to commend the State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu for his support to sports generally and football in
particular, describing him as a square peg in a square hole while promising that Abia Warriors will make the state proud at the end of the season.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Abia State Football Association, Sir Ephraim Chukuemeka said they had come to present the new executive to the Chairman after their last election in which he noted, Chief Inyama supported them highly to emerge.
Sir, Chukuemeka, who described Abia Warriors as partners in progress, pointed out the club is run with the highest international standard and promised that the football Association will always stand by the club at all times.
Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia top striker this season, Chisom Chikatara has described the passing away of his mother as very painful.
While the marksman was busy on the pitch defending the Warriors flag against top flight Warri Wolves in a week 30 Glo Premier League encounter at the Umuahia Township Stadium last Sunday, news filtered in that Madam Ifeyinwa Chikatara, who has been hospitalised for about one week, had passed on, although the story was kept away from the 20-year-old until after the game which the Umuahia based side won-2-1.
Speaking to Abia Warriors website in Umuahia, Chisom, who was discovered on the street while playing for his local side, New Generation FC, said he was very close to his mother even though he is the third child in a family of six and hoped God will receive her in His bosom.
He lamented that the mother died when she should enjoy the fruits of her labour, describing her as a woman of substance who cared for others more than herself.
While promising that they will live according to their mother’s tenets and wise counsel, Chisom, who is one of the top scorers in the League this season with ten goals, said he will continue to do his best on the field of play as a way of projecting the Chikatara family image.
Meanwhile, Abia Warriors management has commiserated with Chisom on the demise of his mother, Madam Ifeyinwa Chikatara.
In a telephone chat with the player, the chairman, Abia Warriors Football Club, Chief Emeka Inyama described the incident as pathetic and urged Chisom to bear the loss with fortitude.
Chief Inyama, who promised that Abia Warriors will stand by him at this trying period, urged him never to mourn like someone without hope, as God will always be his anchor.
Igwe Onuoha
Giwa 1-0 Enyimba
FC IfeanyiUbah 2-0 FC Taraba
Nasarawa United 1-1 Warri Wolves
Kwara United 1-0 Abia Warriors
Shooting Stars 2-1 Sunshine Stars
El-Kanemi Warriors 2-1 Lobi Stars
Wikki Tourists 3-1 Akwa United
Heartland 2-0 Rangers
Sharks vs Kano Pillars (Monday, September 7)
Dolphins vs Bayelsa United (Monday, September 7)
Winners of the monthly League Bloggers Award (LBA) will henceforth be rewarded with financial incentives by Nigeria’s leading sports betting brand, 1960BET.
Chief Executive Officer of the LBA, Ojeikere Aikhoje, has revealed.
In 2014, 1960BET partnered the LBA to organise the End-Of-Season Award.
“The Player and Manager of the month will receive N50,000 each, aside from the Plaque.
“Interestingly, Abia Warriors’ Ndifreke Effiong and Warri Wolves’ Paul Aigbogun, who won the LBA July Awards are initial winners of the cash incentive,” Aikhoje stated.
Instituted in 2009 to reward outstanding performers in the domestic top flight, the LBA made significant achievement in 2014, when it presented a Brand New Kia Rio Saloon Car from 1960BET to the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), Mfon Udoh of Enyimba International FC.
It was the first time in the history of the domestic league that the MVP will receive a brand new car.
newfanzone 