Abia Warriors Coach Amapakabo Relishes Fourth Away Win of the Season

Abia Warriors head coach Kenneth Amapakabo has expressed satisfaction after his side secured their fourth away victory of the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season — a 1–0 triumph over Lobi Stars at the Tundun Ikoku Stadium in Makurdi.

The lone goal came in the 12th minute from Francis Uzoho (not to be confused with the Super Eagles goalkeeper), and Abia Warriors held on to claim all three points on the road. Amapakabo emphasised the team’s belief and collective resilience as key to their successful away performance.

Editorial

In the theatre of the Nigeria Premier Football League, home support often dominates narratives crowds roar, tribal pride flares, and momentum builds in familiar surroundings. Yet it is away form that frequently tells a deeper story about a team’s character, ambition and tactical maturity. Abia Warriors’ latest 1–0 win at Lobi Stars and the pride expressed by coach Kenneth Amapakabo remind us why collecting points on the road is essential for any club harbouring serious aspirations.

Football, at its core, is a battle of psychology as much as skill. To secure four away wins in one season as Abia Warriors have now done — is to demonstrate discipline, adaptability and unshakeable self-belief. It requires players to weather hostile atmospheres, adjust to unfamiliar pitches and stick to tactical instructions without the buoyancy that home fans provide. In a league as competitive and physically demanding as the NPFL, this is no small feat.

Amapakabo’s joy was not just about the three points. It was about how they were earned with surgical precision, resolute defending and a mindset that understands the value of every road result. Winning away matches lifts teams beyond the immediate gain of league points. It fosters resilience that resonates in training rooms, seeps into locker-room culture and builds an invisible yet potent momentum that can carry into even the toughest home fixtures.

In an NPFL season defined by parity and inconsistency, away victories can be the difference between a mid-table year and a push for continental qualification or even a title challenge. Teams that navigate adversity away from home without crumbling often mirror the composure needed in pressure-packed end of season clashes.

Abia Warriors’ performance in Makurdi  controlled, composed, opportunistic was a blueprint of strategic away football. Their ability to protect a narrow lead highlighted not just tactical instruction but collective discipline, where every outfield player bought into a shared blueprint of game management.

As the season advances, these road wins could prove pivotal  not just for the league table, but for the culture of belief within the squad. In the NPFL, where unpredictability reigns and momentum shifts swiftly, teams that amass points both home and away invariably set themselves apart. If Abia Warriors continue to take that mindset into their remaining fixtures, they may find their name creeping into conversations traditionally reserved for Nigeria’s elite.

Did You Know?

1. Strong Road Record With their win over Lobi Stars, Abia Warriors have recorded four away victories this season, one of the more impressive road tallies in the NPFL.
2. Early Goal Deciders The lone goal in their 1–0 win came in the 12th minute, showing how early breakthroughs can set the tone for disciplined away performances.
3. Tactical Consistency Abia Warriors’ success away from home is built on solid defensive organisation and structured game management traits emphasised by Coach Amapakabo throughout the season.
4. League Impact Teams with strong away records in the NPFL often finish higher in the league table a trend seen in past seasons where continental qualification was at stake.
5. Coach’s Philosophy Kenneth Amapakabo is known for his emphasis on discipline and consistency, traits that have made Abia Warriors competitive both home and away.