Abia Warriors will start their 2026/2027 Nigeria Premier Football League campaign at home on Sunday, August 30th, 2026, hosting Kun Khalifat Football Club of Owerri at the iconic Enyimba International Stadium in Aba.
Ahead of the season opener, Abia Warriors’ Technical Adviser, Imama Amapakabo, says the team is ready to set the tone early and carry that momentum through the first stretch of the league.
Speaking to the club’s media, Imama left no doubt about where the squad stands.
On readiness for the new season
“To say we’re not prepared would be unthinkable,” Imama said.
“I believe Abia Warriors is as prepared as we can be for the season.”
Why the first game matters
For the gaffer, starting well is non-negotiable. He framed the 38-game season like a 400m race, with the opening nine matches making up the first 100m.
“It’s always important to start on a good footing,” he explained.
“We’ve talked about it as players and as individuals. Everyone understands what it means to begin with a win.
“I break the season down. There are 114 points available in total. The first nine games are worth 27 points. We will see how many of those we can pick up, then build from there. But the key thing is to start well.”
What success will look like on Sunday
After a preseason focused on identity and finishing, Imama wants to see his ideas reflected on the pitch, especially in attack.
“I want to see how well the players have imbibed my philosophy, how we play, and how we execute,” he said.
“In the final third, especially, I want to see better coordination.
“Converting chances was one big challenge for us in preseason. It was also an issue for us last season, and correcting that is one of my main targets this season”
On the defense and new-look squad
Abia Warriors lost a few key players from last season and are now rebuilding, but Imama isn’t planning to sit back.
“We lost a couple of players from last season’s squad, so we are rebuilding and trying to infuse our defensive philosophy into the new players,” he explained.
“But my approach has always been clear. If you score 15 against me and I score 18, I will still win.
“I’m an attacking-minded coach. I tell the players all the time, I’m not afraid of losing, but I don’t want to lose. We will play my way. After the first nine games, we can assess where we are, where we are short, and what we need to fix.”
Kickoff in Aba is set at 16:00 hours local time on Sunday as Abia Warriors look to open their account with three points and lay an early marker in the title race.