BOOST FOR ABIA WARRIORS … AS NNAEMEKA RETURNS

Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia received a boost ahead of their midweek clash with Nasarawa United of Lafia as its hard tackling defender, Nnaemeka Anyanwu who has been out of action since June 21, 2015 due to injury, has returned to training.

The former Rangers International of Enugu and Enyimba of Aba rear man last featured for the Warriors in a 1-0 victory against Akwa United of Uyo in a week 13 encounter at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba where he sustained a knee ligament tear.

But the Imo State born former Flying Eagles defender returned to full training with his team mates last week after recovering from the ailment to further bolster coach Ladan Bosso’s selection options.

Dr Enyinnaya Anozie, the head of Abia Warriors’ medical team who battled the injury alongside his colleague, Uwaoma Ogwuma, described the injury as career threatening but expressed happiness that Nnaemeka recovered from it in a record time after undergoing a series of rehabilitation programmes.

Abia Warriors

Dr. Anozie also gave updates on Abia Warriors goalkeeper, Chinedu Udeh, who fractured his fibular and dislocated his ankle joint during a training session on June 23, 2015, saying he will soon be back to full fitness after undergoing his own rehabilitation.

“Iroko”, as the goalkeeper is known by his admirers and who last stood in-between the goal post for Abia Warriors against Wikki Tourists of Bauchi on April 19, 2015, expressed happiness that he had a miraculous healing, pointing out that he will soon resume training.

New Blood Fail To Lift Dolphins

Dolphins failed to swim over Abia Warriors on Sunday at the Liberation Stadium in spite of five new additions to the team.

Stanley Eguma gave three players debuts in the game- Godwin Obinze from Joseph Yobo Academy, Oghogho Oduokpe from Bayelsa United as well as Ebuka Nnebue but their fortunes did not change.

30 minutes into the game, Isiaka Olawale put Dolphins ahead after fine work from Ifeanyi Egwim.

Egwim had run down the flanks and his cross was parried by the goalkeeper onto the path of Olawale who blasted home.

Nine minutes later, former Dolphins boy, Bolaji Sarkin drew level.

Chisom Chikatara lifted the ball over two Dolphins defenders and Sarkin sped past them, controlled coolly, before tucking in behind onrushing goalkeeper, Godwin Ayalogu.

In the second half, Eguma threw in Ebitimi Agogo who just signed from Bayelsa United for IFeanyi Egwim and Abia Israel from FC Inter but it was not enough to change the score line.

dolphins salute

After the game, Abia Warriors coach, Ladan Bosso said he had watched Dolphins play in recent times so knew how to counter them.

“I especially watched their last game which was on TV. I saw it about three times and I was able to know how they will play today.”

Dolphins coach, Eguma praised his new players for the efforts they put in saying they were unlucky not to have won. He also frowned the officiating on the day

“I’m impressed with the performance of my new players. We scored and they equalized. Its football and there is nothing we can do about it but begin to focus on the next game,” Eguma said.

LMC Fines Club Officials, Performance of 4 Referees, 8 Assistants for Review

…Ladan Bosso also fined

Two senior club officials, a coach and 12 match officials including four Referees and eight Assistant Referees have been charged under the NPFL Rulebook by the League Management Company (LMC) for various acts considered inimical to the good of the game.

General Manager of FC Taraba, Mr. Tijani Babangida and that of Heartland, Mr. Okechukwu Ibe whose is also a Director of LMC have been fined N50, 000 and N200, 000 respectively for comments and behaviours that were in breach of some sections of the Code of Conduct for Club Officials under the NPFL rules. Similarly, Abia Warriors Head Coach, Ladan Bosso was fined N50, 000 for comments the LMC ruled to be in breach of Article 14 of the Code of Conduct for Coaches and Managers and Article C1 of the Framework and Rules of the Nigeria Professional Football League.

Babangida and Bosso were cited for public comments against referees considered capable of bringing the league to disrepute while Ibe was charged for acts capable of bringing the league to disrepute including excessive complaints against the Referee during the Match Day 11 Enyimba vs Heartland. Babangida’s charge followed his comments to the media on the Match Day 11 fixture between El-Kanemi Warriors and FC Taraba even after he had followed the official channels to lay a complaint about the officiating and is aware it’s bring dealt with.

Ladan Bosso, photo credit ladanbosso.blogspot.com

Bosso’s charge is in relation to comments he made to the media against the Referee after the Match Day 12 fixture between Rangers and Abia Warriors for which the LMC said he “failed to act in an ethical and professional manner, in the best interest of the game, and you made statements capable of bringing the game to disrepute”.

They were asked to within 48 hours accept the respective sanctions imposed or elect to defend themselves before a commission and they have all accepted the charges and apologized.

The LMC also forwarded the cases of the Match Officials to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Referees Appointment Committee requesting that the listed officials performances be reviewed and dropped from further officiating NPFL games pending the conclusion of the review of their performance in some matches.

In referring the case to the Committee, the LMC expressed dissatisfaction with their performances in some fixtures of Match Day 11 and 12.

Referee Jerry Akure from Benue State and his assistants, Aliyu Jingi (Bauchi) and Garba Musa from Yobe State were charged for below par handling the Match Day 11 fixture in Umuahia between Abia Warriors and Sunshine Stars while Referee Maaji Mohammed and his assistants Abbas J and Alfa Gimba, all of Niger State Referees Council were charged for poor officiating in the fixture between El-Kanemi Warriors and FC Taraba also in Match day 11.

Two other cases from Match Day 12 involved Referee Sam Agba from Ogun State Council and his two assistants from the Oyo State Council on a charge of poor performance in the match between Enyimba International and Heartland. The last case of poor performance listed by the LMC involved Referee Mohammed D. Sule and his assistants, Suleiman Jimeta and Sani Mohammed all from Adamawa State Referees’ Council who officiated in the match between Kano Pillars and Giwa FC.

NFF referees committee have already commenced review of the listed match officials performances upon receipt of the necessary details and visuals from the LMC.

ENYIMBA RETAIN ABIA FA CUP

Enyimba International Football Club of Aba have retained the Abia State FA Cup following a 5-4 penalty shoot-out victory over their arch rivals, Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia in the final of the 2015 edition. Scores stood at 1-1 after regulation time.

Enyimba, who are also the national champions, took a 37th minute lead in Umuahia when Chinonso Okonkwo nodded in a Daniel Etor corner but despite having a flurry of chances, Abia Warriors could not equalize allowing the Peoples Elephant go into the tunnel with the 1-0
advantage.

Three minutes after resumption, Chisom Chikatara became the hero for Abia Warriors when he netted the leveler after Enyimba goalkeeper; Femi Thomas palmed a harmless ball unto his path. Tried as they could, the two sides could not find a breakthrough until centre referee, Benjamin Okporie blow off the game after regulation time signaling for a penalty shoot-out.

Enyimba fc

Chikatara turned from hero to villain when he lost the crucial kick that would have handed the trophy to his side. Before his kick, Enyimba’s Mfom Udoh and Idris Aloma had lost their kicks as only Markson Ojobo, Etor and Sikiru Kamal could beat Joseph Onuoha while Bolaji Sakin, Binaebi Johnson and Emeka Joseph had scored for the
Warriors as only captain Austin Obaroakpo lost his chance.

Chikatara had the arduous task of scoring to enable the Warriors reclaim the trophy won in 2013 but lost to the same opponents in last year’s final. However, he could not carry the responsibility as he shot tamely into the waiting hands of Femi Thomas who threw the game into sudden death and it was the Aba boys that proved superior. Captain Chinedu Udoji and Ifeanyi Anaemena scored while Warriors’ Atu Irumekhai missed the crucial kick after Ali Buhari had made it 4-4.

In his reaction, Abia Warrior’s Technical Adviser Ladan Bosso said the outcome of the match was the will of God as his boys were not disgraced.

According to him, penalty shoot-out in any competition could go either way and commended his boys for giving Enyimba a good fight.

Bosso said attention will now shift to the league where the Warriors will host Wikki Tourist of Bauchi this weekend.

ABIA WARRIORS THROUGH TO FA CUP SEMIS

Abia Warriors Football club of Umuahia is through to the semi finals of the Abia State Football Association Cup after a 2-0 victory over city rivals, Ibeku United.

Coach Ladan Bosso made six changes from the team which started against Dolphins midweek introducing the likes of Joseph Onuoha, Emeka Joseph, Dosso Alhassane and Osita Egbo and were made to work hard before overcoming their less advertised opponents.

Bolaji Sakin converted a first half penalty and the Premier League hopefuls held onto the lead until substitute, Torty Okorie netted the assurance goal in the dying minutes.

ABIA WARRIORS FC

The Warriors will now face Enyimba Feeders of Aba who made it to the last four also with a hard fought 2-0 victory over Olokoro United of Umuahia.

The other semi final encounter will feature Enyimba International of Aba, the defending champions against the winners of the quarter final match between Abia Warriors Youth Team and Diamond FC of Umuahia.

In his reaction, Secretary of Abia Warriors, Mr. Oliver Ndife commended his boys for a good show and expressed confidence that the team will reclaim the trophy which they lost last year to Enyimba International after lifting it in 2013.

ABIA WARRIORS CHALLENGE LMC TO MONITOR CLUBS, REFS

Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia, has called on the League Management Committee (LMC) organizers of the on-going Glo Professional Football League to monitor closely, the activities of referees and clubs to ensure that only the best teams qualified to represent the country in next years continental campaign.

In a statement released by the club’s media officer, Mr. Igwe Onuoha after the Warriors lost 1-2 to Lobi Stars of Makurdi at the Emmanuel Akume Atongo stadium Katsina-Ala, Benue State in one of the week 34 encounters, the Umuahia based outfit noted that the team could not have lost the game if the referee had not succumbed to the intimidation by the home fans.

Onuoha wondered why the centre referee, Hamza Garba from Kano State disallowed a 14th minute goal they netted from a corner-kick which would have unsettled the home side.

In his reaction, the Technical Adviser of Abia Warriors FC Ladan Bosso said he has never seen a situation like that before where such a goal is disallowed.

Ladan Bosso, photo credit ladanbosso.blogspot.com

“My striker (Onyekachi Peter) had nodded in a free header into the net from a corner-kick and the AR II (the 2nd Assistant referee) had already acknowledged the goal by running towards the centre but to everyone’s surprise, the centre referee disallowed it “he said.

He stated that if the goal had stood, the match could have gone Abia Warriors way.

“The referee’s decision demoralized my boys and made them to lose concentration which allowed Lobi to score two goals. Their goals were good goals but why did the referee disallow our own good goal? Afterall, Lobi scored first in Umuahia before we rallied to win so there is nothing wrong about conceding first at home” he said.

According to him, the referee must have succumbed to the intimidation from the Lobi supporters who had threatened to deal with the officials if the team failed to win.

The threat started from the morning hours when the pre-match meeting had to be stopped severally due to the threat coming from the supporters who had thronged the venue but the Benue State Football Association had assured everyone of adequate security.

At half time, the referees refused to go into the tunnel because of the tense atmosphere inside the dressing rooms and it took several minutes of plea from Lobi Stars’ Chairman and Technical Adviser, Dominic Iorfa for the referees to go into their dressing room.

But Abia Warriors players and officials were not allowed by the home supports to enter their dressing room. The irate fans, aided by some Lobi Stars players had blocked the Warriors midway and even beat some players like Wasiu Showomimo, forcing the visitors to come back to the pitch where they rested before the second half began.

Abia Warriors believe this kind of desperation by teams should be checked by the LMC particularly now that the league is nearing its conclusion so that only the best will qualify to represent Nigeria in International competitions next year.

BOSSO WARNS AGAINST COMPLACENCY OVER BAYELSA AWAY WIN

Still smarting from their 3-1 away victory over continental campaigners, Bayelsa Utd in a Glo Premier League encounter, Technical Adviser of the Umuahia – based Abia Warriors; Issa Ladan Bosso has warned his boys against complacency even as they host Lobi Stars of Makurdi this weekend. Midfielder, Ifeanyi Onyeali had struck twice after Bayelsa United hand gone ahead through Ebimobowei Peter before Osamudia Idehen put the icing on the cake with the 3rd goal for the visitors.

Bosso, who watched as his boys celebrated in their Hotel in Benin, Edo state after the shock victory, reminded them of the enormous challenges ahead and the need to remain focused as the away victory will now attract more attention from their opponents.

He recalled that after Abia Warriors beat Enyimba International in Aba to record the first away win in this season’s campaign, his boys over celebrated and thought they have arrived only to find themselves struggling and warned that this latest away win should be consolidated upon in order to improve the club’s standing on the league table.

The former Flying Eagles coach dedicated the victory to the State Sports Loving Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, the Management and supporters of the club for their assistance and promised that they will not be disappointed.

Bosso said he had never doubted the ability of his boys to deliver even during the trial period, adding that with the reinforcement of the team the sky will be the limit as long as the boys remain focused and make room for improvement.

“I want you to play our subsequent matches as if the league has just started”, he told his boys.

The Niger State born tactician who took Bayelsa United to the continent last season before he crossed over to Umuahia said that part of the victory was that he knew the home side inside out having handled them just last season and expressed gratitude to God for making it possible for Abia Warriors to be the first team to record two away wins this season.

Responding on behalf of his colleagues, stand-in captain and a son of Edo soil, Austin Obarakpo said it was a great achievement to beat Bayelsa United in their home and assured the coaches, Management and supporters of the team that better days lie ahead.

The defender, who stood like a giant at the back during the encounter, said the victory will not get into their heads, pointing out that they have resolved to win their remaining matches in order to be where they want to be.

MY BEST IS YET TO COME SAYS ABIA WARRIORS’ ONYEALI

Two-goal hero in Abia Warriors’ 3-1 away win over Bayelsa United in Benin, Edo State, schemer, Ifeanyi Onyeali has said that his performance against the highly rated Yenagoa side is just a tip of the iceberg as he still has more to unleash as the season progresses.

Onyeali, the only Warriors player to have started ten of the team’s eleven games so far, had smashed in the equalizer just three minutes after Ebimobowei Peter had given Bayelsa the lead in the 35th minute and then gave the Umuahia side the lead at the hour mark before Osamudia Idehen made assurance doubly sure for Ladan Bosso in the injury time with the 3rd goal to seal the three points.

The former Akwa Starlets star who said the goals will boost his morale in subsequent matches, noted that the players were disturbed at the positioning of the club on the league table and were determined to improve their standing hence, the victory against Bayelsa United.

With our victory, we have sent a signal that we are equal to the task” he said insisting that Abia Warriors have established players who can take the club to the Promised Land.

He commended Coach Ladan Bosso and other members of the technical crew for their fatherly advice, which, he noted has been of immense assistance to his career and expressed happiness at the level of determination of the team to succeed.

Edo, Udoh are LBA winners for March

Akwa United defender, Nnamso Edo and his coach, Patrick Udoh, have been named the League Bloggers Awards (LBA) Player and Manager respectively for the month of March.

Both men were outstanding in the month under review in the Glo Premier League and ensured The Promise Keepers, as Akwa United are also known, finished top of the standings at the end of March.

Captain of Akwa United, Edo, claimed the LBA Player for March on the strength of appearing in all four matches for his club last month and scoring three goals including a stunning free kick at Nasarawa United that secured a point for his team.

Edo also accounted for 2.33 goals of the seven scored by Akwa United in March.

His defensive qualities were also never in doubt, as he led from the back as well and made sure they shipped in just twice in five matches.

Further goals from Edo also helped his team get wins over Gombe United and Kaduna United in home games, as he staved off the challenge of Sunshine Stars goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Ifeanyi Inyam of Sharks, Ifeanyi Egwim of Dolphins and Cletus Itodo of Abia Warriors.

Udoh bagged the LBA Manager for March for guiding Akwa United to an unbeaten finish in five league games last month and ensured they ended the month under review on eight points, one more than Sharks.

Udoh deservedly picks up the manager’s award for March ahead of Gbenga Ogunbote of Sharks, Ladan Bosso of Abia Warriors, Ndubuisi Nduka of FC Taraba and Richard Bubagha of Bayelsa United.

Edo and Udoh will be presented with their awards for March by the LBA later this month.