BY OUR FOOTBALL CORRESPONDENT
ABIA WARRIORS kept their march toward the top of the NPFL table alive today, but they had to sweat for every inch of grass in a gritty 1-0 victory over Warri Wolves.
While the scoreline told a story of a narrow margin, the real protagonist of the afternoon was the Umuahia Township Stadium.
Known across the league as a daunting “fortress,” the venue lived up to its reputation, providing a rugged, high-intensity backdrop that seemed to swallow the visiting “Seasiders” whole.
From the first whistle, the atmosphere in Umuahia was electric.
The local faithful packed into the stands, creating a wall of sound that echoed off the surrounding buildings, making life miserable for a Warri Wolves side that struggled to find their rhythm on the bumpy, challenging surface.
The pitch at the Township Stadium, often criticized by visiting managers for its uncompromising nature, played its part in a cagey first half. Wolves tried to move the ball with their usual flair, but the uneven bounce and the tight confines of the Umuahia pitch played right into the hands of Imama Amapakabo’s disciplined Warriors.
The deadlock was finally broken in a moment of pure persistence. With the home crowd roaring them on, Abia found the breakthrough that their dominance of the territory deserved. Despite a late surge from the Delta State side, the Warriors held firm.
The victory consolidates Abia’s position in the top four, moving them to 30 points and keeping the pressure on the league leaders.
For Warri Wolves, it was another long journey home with nothing to show for it.
They found out the hard way that when you travel to the heart of Abia, you aren’t just playing against eleven men—you’re playing against the Umuahia Township Stadium itself.
