By SCM Sport Correspondent in Aba
Abia Warriors delivered a sensational, jaw-dropping masterclass in front of a rocking crowd at the Enyimba International Stadium, blowing away Bendel Insurance 3-0. In a match defined by sheer attacking brilliance, technical mastery, and clinical finishing, Imama Amapakabo’s Warriors completely dismantled the visitors in a blistering first-half rampage that was over before the referee even blew for the interval.
From the very first whistle, Abia Warriors signaled their aggressive intent. Operating with relentless tempo and midfield dominance, they forced Bendel Insurance onto the back foot immediately.
The star of the initial exchanges was winger Ettah Ikoi, whose blistering pace on the flank tormented the Benin side’s full-backs.
The early pressure paid dividends in the 16th minute when Ettah Ikoi broke the deadlock. Sniffing out space in the penalty box, Ikoi connected with precision, driving a lower-corner effort past the helpless Insurance goalkeeper to send the home fans into delirium and put Abia Warriors 1-0 up.
If Insurance thought they could regroup, they were sorely mistaken. Step forward the star man of the afternoon, Chukwuemeka Obioma.
The lethal frontman turned on a superstar display, terrorizing the opposition center-backs with physical power, sharp off-the-ball movement, and ruthless composure.
In the 24th minute, Obioma doubled the lead. Capitalizing on a slick passing sequence through the heart of the midfield, the sharp-shooter latched onto a defense-splitting ball and slotted home with supreme calm to make it 2-0.
Insurance looked utterly shell-shocked, incapable of containing Abia’s fluid front line. Five minutes before the break, the magic struck once more. In the 40th minute, Obioma grabbed his second of the match and third for the team.
Showing instinct and rapid reaction, the talismanic forward pounced inside the box to lash the ball home for 3-0, effectively sealing all three points before half-time.
The match statistics painted a picture of absolute home dominance without requiring a numerical tally. Abia Warriors controlled the overwhelming majority of possession, dictating the tempo across all ninety minutes.
The Warriors registered double-digit shot attempts, with over half of their strikes hitting the target, compared to just a small handful of isolated, off-target tries from a toothless Bendel Insurance squad. The home team generated a high number of corner kicks while keeping their discipline tight, committing minimal fouls and leaving their goalkeeper with virtually nothing to do all afternoon.
The second half proved to be a game-management clinic from Imama Amapakabo’s men. With the job emphatically done in the opening 45 minutes, Abia Warriors slowed the rhythm, dictated possession, and frustrated every attempt by Bendel Insurance to mount a response.
When the final whistle blew, it confirmed a comprehensive 3-0 victory for Abia Warriors—a statement win in Matchday 6 of the 2026–27 Nigeria Premier Football League campaign that leaves rival clubs on high alert.