A brace from Obi Samson and a first league goal for second half substitute, Antoine Desouza earned Abia Warriors the maximum points at stake in the Matchday 36 encounter of the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League played at the Pantami Stadium, Gombe.
It was the second away win for the Pride of Abia, and an important one for the team, as they look to cement their premiership status.
Coach Bethel Oji made one change to the side that drew at home against Bendel Insurance of Benin as Meme Okike took the place of Emmanuel Onu.
The Warriors took the game to the home side with high pressing right from the first blast of the referee’s whistle and they thought they had taken the lead in the 7th minute, only for Paschal Nwabueze’s goal to be ruled out for offside.
Nonetheless, the Warriors were not to be denied in the 10th minute of play, as Nwabueze danced his way into Gombe United’s box before placing a delightful pass to Obi to score from six yards.
It was a deserved lead as Abia Warriors had enjoyed most of the possession.
However, a momentary lack of concentration from the Warriors’ defence allowed the home side to equalize in the 24th minute of play through Abba Maigari..
That goal was the only decent chance from Gombe United in the entire first half and they made it count.
Despite the numerous chances that came their way, Abia Warriors failed to convert as the first half ended 1-1.
nother concern for the Umuahia Warlords was Sunday Megwo, who was replaced by Ayodele Ezekiel in the added time of the first period, the former appearing in some sort of discomfort.
Abia Warriors commenced the second half with the same intensity, pinning the home side to their own half with Nwabueze, Obi and Ayodele Ezekiel giving the opponents serious task, while the duo of Adejoh Ojonugwa and Daniel Wotlai bossed the midfield.
It was only a matter of time before a goal goes the way of the visitors, and so it did in the 50th minute as Obi got the ball in Gombe United’s half, held off his marker, raced through the opponent’s defence and showed composure to shoot beyond the on-rushing goalkeeper to complete his brace.
By now, it was all Abia Warriors, as Gombe United resorted to counter attacks which were effectively dealt with by the visitors.
Antoine Desouza replaced Meme Okike at the hour mark, and 10 minutes later, he scored the away side’s third goal following a good build-up from the middle of the pack that involved Wotlai and Ojonugwa, and then to the wing, with the latter directing a well tailored pass to Ezekiel on the right flank, as the youngster, controlled beautifully with his left foot, before using his weaker foot to pick out Desouza to head into the net.
Gombe United came all out in the closing stages in search of goal, but Abia Warriors defended stoutly to end the game 3-1 in their favour.
Up next for the Pride of Abia is a Matchday 37 encounter against Akwa United Football Club of Uyo, in Umuahia on the 16th of June 2024.
