Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia were held to a one-all draw at the Pantami Stadium Gombe in their last game of the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League season.
With an eye at the President Federation Cup final with EL-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri in Lagos later this week, Abia Warriors bench made wholesale change from the team that featured in their last game as eight regular players were rested, but the boys from Umuahia still put up a good fight to avoid defeat in their return to Gombe within a space of two weeks.
Meme Okike who played as a central midfielder gave the Pride of Abia the lead in the 32nd minute of the game after he was allowed time and space to shoot from range.
Despite Doma United’s attempt to get an equalizer with a quick response, they were repelled by the Warriors rear guard of Jerry Ogu, Arinze Ogbonna, Francis Ignatius and Chuks Edward; goalkeeper Johnson Nmecha having little to do in the entire first period.
The second period started with Doma United coming all out in search of an equalizer, and their pressure paid off in the 47th minute when a moment of laxity on the part of Warriors allowed Jesam Emmanuel to curl an effort from the edge of the box that beat goalkeeper Johnson Nmecha.
The introduction of Godwin Udoh later on eased pressure on the Warriors as he combined well with Antoine Desouza and captain of the day, Emmanuel Onu to trouble the home side’s rear guard.
The game became a cagey affair there on, as both sides took a cautious approach, and the game ended all square at the end of the day.
Up next for Abia Warriors is a President Federation Cup final against El Kanemi Warriors on the 29th of June.
