Enyimba Stadium, Aba, will be the cynosure of all eyes on Sunday as nine-time Nigerian champions, Enyimba, welcome state rivals, Abia Warriors, in an Oriental Derby clash that heralds the NPFL Matchday 32 fixtures, Completesports.com reports.
Abia Warriors are third in the NPFL table with 50 points and have their heads firmly screwed on for a possible first-ever continental berth. Their hosts, the People’s Elephant, sit ninth in the standings with 43 points and are in a serious race for a possible top-three finish.
This shared continental ambition between the two ‘brotherly’ gladiators will add a spark to the encounter, as Enyimba seek a 12th win over the Warriors.
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To date, both teams have met 19 times since 2014, with Enyimba boasting a superior record — 11 wins, three losses, and four draws. However, history offers little assurance in a rivalry defined by unpredictability, fierce tackles, and emotional eruptions.
The last NPFL meeting ended 1-1 in Umuahia — a reminder that margins are razor-thin in fixtures of this magnitude.
As the potential thriller and high-stakes tie beckons, Enyimba youngster Kalu Nweke believes a fierce contest is on the horizon.
“I must say it’s going to be a tough one,” said Nweke, a midfielder, after Friday’s training session.
“Abia Warriors are a team I know too well. I’ve played there before, and they are a decent side.”
Coach Imama Amapakabo’s Abia Warriors have become one of the league’s surprise packages this season, churning out gritty performances week in, week out, and staying in touch with the top end of the table.
But for Nweke, who has emerged as one of Enyimba’s most influential players since his switch from Umuahia, sentiment holds no place in Sunday’s NPFL showdown.
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“As you can see, they’re doing well this season, but that doesn’t mean they’re unbeatable. It’s a derby game and will be tough, so I expect the fans to believe in us. I’m sure we can beat them here in Aba,” he declared, with confidence that reflects the spirit in the Enyimba dressing room.
In their last NPFL duel at the Enyimba fortress in Aba, goals from Eze Ekwutoziam and Nnachi Chidiebere secured a 2-1 win, despite a late scare from Augustine Njoku.
With Ekwutoziam still sidelined since the first round and Chidiebere only just returning to form, the onus may once again fall on Nweke — whose vision and incisive passing were key in their recent Federation Cup victory — to unlock Abia Warriors’ backline.
“All hope is not lost — both in the league and in the Federation Cup,” said Nweke. “We still have a good chance to make it. We just have to keep pushing.”
By Sab Osuji
Enyimba International FC-coach Fatai Osho heeft zijn aanvoerder Austin Oladapo en aanvaller Tosin Omoyele opgeroepen voor de Oosterse derbyshowdown met Abia Warriors in de Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
De wedstrijd tussen Enyimba en Abia Warriors belooft een spannende en intense strijd te worden, aangezien beide teams uit dezelfde regio komen en er altijd veel op het spel staat wanneer ze tegen elkaar spelen.
Oladapo en Omoyele worden beschouwd als twee van de belangrijkste spelers van Enyimba en hun aanwezigheid in het team zal van cruciaal belang zijn voor het behalen van een positief resultaat in de derby. Oladapo is een ervaren middenvelder die bekend staat om zijn leiderschap en vermogen om het spel te dicteren, terwijl Omoyele een gevaarlijke aanvaller is die altijd in staat is om doelpunten te maken.
Coach Osho heeft de rest van het team ook opgeroepen om zich volledig te concentreren en zich voor te bereiden op de wedstrijd tegen Abia Warriors. Hij benadrukt het belang van discipline, teamwork en vastberadenheid om succesvol te zijn in deze derby.
De fans van Enyimba kijken reikhalzend uit naar de wedstrijd en hopen dat hun team de overwinning zal behalen en de trots van de regio zal verdedigen. De Oosterse derby tussen Enyimba en Abia Warriors belooft een spektakel te worden dat niemand wil missen.
