Abia Warriors head coach Imama Amapakabo has offered a candid assessment of his team’s inability to capitalize on a numerical advantage in their goalless Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 25 clash with 10-man Rangers in Aba. Despite Rangers being reduced to 10 men in the second half, Warriors failed to find a winning goal.
The Oriental derby at the Enyimba International Stadium ended 0–0, with Warriors creating opportunities but ultimately unable to convert them into goals.
Amapakabo said that his side gave the ball away too often, especially in the offensive third, which prevented them from fully exploiting Rangers’ numerical disadvantage. “We didn’t get our acts right. When you gift the ball away like that, it becomes difficult to take control of the game,” he explained at the post-match press conference.
The former Nigeria junior international goalkeeper also pointed to his team’s struggles to settle into the game on the Enyimba Stadium’s AstroTurf surface — their first match on that pitch as another factor that disrupted their rhythm.
Amapakabo admitted that the pressure from a poor run of recent results contributed to his players’ urgency and loss of composure. With only three points from the last five matches, his side has been under scrutiny, and he believes that resulted in hasty play and unforced errors.
Despite pushing forward, Abia Warriors could not find a breakthrough, and even thought they had won it late when Emeka Obioma scored deep into stoppage time only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Amapakabo declined to comment on the officiating until he reviews video footage.
Amapakabo stressed that the league campaign remains open and that a point against strong opponents like Rangers is far from a disaster. Using a 400-metre race analogy, he noted that although his team has stumbled in the “curve” of the season, there is still a final “100m” to run. He urged calm and continual improvement as the season progresses.
Editorial
Imama Amapakabo’s assessment highlights the fine details that can make or break NPFL matches. Numerical advantage alone does not guarantee success maintaining ball possession and making intelligent decisions in the attacking third are vital. Abia Warriors’ failure to convert their superiority exposes a broader issue of consistency and composure under pressure, issues their coach recognises and openly addressed.
This match also underlines the psychological component of football. Amapakabo’s comments about pressure from recent poor results show how confidence or lack of it can affect decision-making in crucial moments. For Warriors, strengthening the mental resilience of players could be as important as technical training as they look to climb the league table.
In the context of Nigerian football, this game reflects the intense competitiveness of the NPFL. Even when a team appears to have the upper hand, tactical discipline and game management often determine outcomes. Abia Warriors’ ability to analyse and learn from this performance will be key as they pursue a top-three finish in the league. Fans will hope the coaching staff’s focus on improvement yields dividends in the coming fixtures.
Did You Know?
- Abia Warriors were held 0–0 by Rangers International in their NPFL Matchday 25 encounter despite Rangers being reduced to 10 men.
- Imama Amapakabo was a former Nigeria junior international goalkeeper before becoming a coach.
- This was Abia Warriors’ first match on the Enyimba International Stadium’s AstroTurf surface.
- Warriors have picked up just three points from their last five league matches, contributing to mounting pressure.
- Rangers’ defensive resilience after going down to 10 men helped them retain a clean sheet away from home.
