Abia Warriors head coach Imama Amapakabo has declared that his team will approach their final two matches of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season as “cup finals” to secure their first-ever qualification for a CAF interclub competition. Currently sitting third on the NPFL table with 57 points, Abia Warriors need to avoid defeat in their remaining fixtures against El-Kanemi Warriors in Umuahia and Ikorodu City at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos to guarantee a top-three finish.
Reflecting on the club’s journey, Amapakabo acknowledged the team’s underdog status at the start of the season. “When we started, nobody gave us a chance. But here we are with two games to go. Like I always say, every game is like a cup final for us,” he stated.
The manager also praised his squad’s resilience after a dramatic 1-1 draw with Niger Tornadoes in Kaduna, where Emmanuel Iwu scored a late equaliser in stoppage time. Despite a challenging first half on a rough pitch, Abia Warriors regrouped to secure the crucial point that keeps their continental hopes alive.
Editorial
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For Abia Warriors, the final two games of the NPFL season are not just fixtures they are defining moments. Imama Amapakabo’s declaration that every match is a “cup final” reflects the hunger and belief that have propelled the team to the brink of continental football. Their remarkable journey from underdogs to top-three contenders is a testament to discipline, tactical awareness, and unity.
The clash against El-Kanemi Warriors is crucial. A slip could open the door for chasing teams, while victory would bring them within touching distance of history. Their final game against Ikorodu City could be the decider, a true test of mettle and ambition. For a club seeking its first taste of CAF competition, the stakes have never been higher.
Abia Warriors have shown they can fight until the final whistle now, they must do it twice more.
Did You Know?
- Imama Amapakabo won the NPFL title with Rangers International in 2015/2016, ending their 32-year league title drought.
- Abia Warriors have never qualified for a CAF interclub competition since their promotion to the NPFL in 2014.
- Amapakabo previously coached the Rwandan club Etoile de l’Est before returning to Nigeria.
- Emmanuel Iwu’s stoppage-time equaliser against Niger Tornadoes marked his fourth goal of the season—his highest tally since joining Abia Warriors.
- Abia Warriors’ final game against Ikorodu City will be held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, a venue known for its modern facilities and artificial turf.
