Abia Warriors Play Out A One-all Draw Against Plateau United
Chukwuemeka Obioma salvaged a point for Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia against visiting Plateau United of Jos, in a pulsating Matchday 20 encounter that heralded the commencement of the second stanza of the league.
The Warriors failed to make it four wins in a row for the very first time in their history, but settled for a draw instead, in a game of high expectation from their teeming fans and followers.
The Warriors’ gaffer, Imama Amapakabo made six changes to the squad that started in Jos against Plateau United in the reverse fixture, with notable inclusion being Emmanuel Ogbuagu, who made his first start after a lay-off.
The visitors took the lead in the eight minute against the run of play from a corner kick. The Warriors failed to deal with the visitors’ first corner kick of the game, and Sakar Gafar pounced to shoot them into the lead from close range and silence the home supporters at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
The Warriors responded with sustained pressure, and it paid off in the 28th minute from a corner kick.
A short corner from Paul Samson to Imoh Obot was squared by the latter, and Chukwuemeka Obioma headed goal-wards from close range only for United’s goalkeeper Amah John to parry the ball with a sharp reflex, but Obioma was quick to slam the rebound into the net for the equalizer.
The Warriors nearly took the lead in the second minute of the two minutes of additional time signalled by the fourth official, but Paul Samson failed to head home a delightful cross from Casmir Azubuike.
The mercurial winger nearly made amends in the 66th minute when his effort inside the visitors’ box following an enterprising play by the home side, went inches wide.
Two minutes later, Casmir Azubuike failed to apply the required force and direction to his header from a cross, and Amah John, who was at his mercy, made an easy catch.
Despite wholesale substitutions from both sides, the game ended 1-1 draw, signalling the fourth home draw by Umu Chineke this season.
Up next for Abia Warriors is a trip to Kano to keep a date with Kano Pillars on Sunday, 18th January 2026.
