By OUR MAN IN UMUAHIA
ABIA WARRIORS proved they are the real deal in the NPFL tonight, snatching a gritty 2-1 victory and leaving Ikorodu City wondering where it all went wrong. In a match that had more drama than a Saturday night soap, the Warriors defended their turf like lions to secure all three points.
The stars were out in Umuahia, but it was Peter Samson who shone brightest. He opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a strike so sweet it could’ve given you toothache. The home crowd went wild, but the party was nearly crashed just before the break.
Ikorodu’s own star man, Adeoye Aderemi, pulled one back in the 35th minute, silencing the locals with a clinical finish that proved why City are the league’s “Oga at the top” in the making. For ten minutes, it looked like Ikorodu might stage a Lagos takeover.
But Valentine Ugwu had other ideas.
Just seconds before the referee blew for half-time, Ugwu popped up with a sucker-punch goal that restored the Warriors’ lead.
It was a hammer blow that Ikorodu simply couldn’t recover from. Despite a frantic second half with tackles flying in and the tension reaching boiling point, the Warriors held firm.
Ikorodu City will head back to the Big Smoke empty-handed, while Abia’s stars celebrate a night where they were simply too hot to handle.
MATCH STATS
* Goals: Abia: Samson (22′), Ugwu (44′) | Ikorodu: Adeoye (35′)
Result: Abia Warriors 2-1 Ikorodu City
Venue: Umuahia Township Stadium
