Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia secured all the three points at stake after beating Plateau United of Jos 1-0 in the Matchday 28 of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) encounter played at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
The win therefore ensured that the Pride of Abia ended their three- game winless streak in the the 2023/2024 NPFL.
Coach Bethel Oji made three changes to the side that won the Abia State FA Cup three days earlier with Emmanuel Onu Sunday Megwo and Prince Okorie making the starting line-up in places of Uche Moses, Antoine Desouza and Collins Nwoburuoke.
But it was Obi Samson who stole the headlines as his 58th minute goal proved decisive.
Sunday Megwo would have given the Warriors the lead in the 29th minute of play after being put through on goal but he fluffed his chance. It was one of the opportunities that fell to Abia Warriors in the first half but the lads failed to take advantage.
It was goalless after the first period, and the commencement of the second half saw Moses Uche come on for Emmanuel Onu.
There was serious concern on the faces of spectators in the 53rd minute when Abia Warriors midfield stalwart, Daniel Wotlai, went down injured, and was replaced by Arinze Ogbonna.
Nonetheless, they had something to cheer five minutes later when the Warriors took the lead.
A swift combination of passes ended with Samson Obi finding time and space inside the opponents’ box to blast the ball into the roof of the net for what later proved to be Abia Warriors winning goal of the match.
Plateau United came all out in search of an equalizer but the Warriors’ defense line marshalled by Ifeanyi Anaemena proved a stumbling block for the Jos based side.
The scoreline remained same until the centre referee blew his final whistle to end the game.
Ifeanyi Anaemena won the Divine Touch Salon gog after being voted the Man-of-the Match by Sportswriters present at the stadium.
