It was a day to forget for Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia as they surrendered their advantage to lose 3-1 in Lafia against Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi, in the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League .
The 3-1 defeat means that Abia Warriors have now failed to beat the Yes Father boys in their last five meetings.
The first half ended in a barren draw, and two goals plus an own goal decided the fate of the Umuahia lads in the match that looked promising for them having drawn the first blood in the second half.
Abia Warriors gaffer, Imama Amapakabo made three changes to the side that lost at home against Heartland Football Club of Owerri, handing Yakubu Hammed and Samuel Atavti their first starts of the campaign, while Emmanuel Ogbuagu returned to partner with Collins Nwoburuoke.
The first period was a cagey affair but the hosts enjoyed more of the ball possession that was not enough to keep the Warriors defence line on the edge.
Goalless it ended in the first period, and the second stanza witnessed some urgency on the path of the hosts, as they attacked in their numbers in search of goals.
On the other hand, the Warriors gradually came into the game, and a good spell from them resulted in a through pass from Yakub Hammed to Sunday Megwo who rounded the Goalkeeper to score his fifth goal of the campaign in the 55th minute of play.
The visitors failed to keep hold of their lead and a cross from Lobi Stars midfield maestro, Ifeanyi Assurance was headed home by the unmarked Oloruntoba Segun in the 61st minute.
The Yes Father boys continued to fight for a second goal, and they were rewarded when an unfortunate own goal from the Warriors’ Collins Nwoburuoke off a cross yet again from Ifeanyi Assurance handed them the advantage.
As Abia Warriors went in search of the equalizer, they were undone by a 90th minute goal off a counter attack by Oloruntoba Segun to make it 3-1 and hand Abia Warriors their second successive defeat of the league campaign.
Next for the Warriors is the Abia Classico against Enyimba International of Abia at the Umuahia Township Stadium.