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Nigeria Football League

Aniekwe Ugonna: “Oriental Derby Is A Special Game For Everyone”

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Abia warriors defender, Aniekwe Ugonna, has expressed his delight to be handed an opportunity to be involved in an ‘Oriental Derby’ fixture which he described as a special game for everyone.

Speaking with Abia Warriors Media , the former MFM defender assured of his readiness to give his best when the derby game gets underway in Awka, Anambra State tomorrow.

“We’re preparing for it in just the same way as we do every other game. In this case, there’s the added factor of just what a special game it is for everyone and for the fans. You’ve also got to bear in mind the quality that both teams, who are both excellent sides, possess. Oriental derby games, just like derby matches, are special and you’ve got the added pressure, the emotional aspect and the desire to perform and everything else that surrounds a game like this one.”

“We’re up against a side that perform to an extremely high standard and if we’re to win it, we’ll have to attack and defend well. You’ve got to look at the characteristics of both teams. It’s true that they usually start games very well and are strong in the first half and we’re ready to match them”

The Umuahia warlords will start its ampaign in the 2022/2023 abridge season with a derby fixture tomorrow against Rangers International and return home at the midweek to trade tackles with Bayelsa United at the Umuahia township stadium on Matchday 2

Nigeria Football League

Match Review: Uche Moses Nets Last-gasp Winner In Abia Warriors 2-1 Win Over Rangers Int’l

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Debutant, Uche Moses, was the hero for Abia Warriors football club as his last minute goal was enough to see the host, Abia Warriors, cart away all maximum points at stake in a keenly contested derby against Rangers International at the Umuahia township stadium.

After grinding out a point against, Rivers United, on Matchday 10, Abia Warriors looked forward to consolidate it’s hard earned point on the road with a win in a tricky derby fixture against Rangers International.

After a narrow win against Bayelsa United on Matchday 10 and after it’s loss to Abia Warriors on Matchday 1, Rangers International ambushed Abia Warriors at the Umuahia Township Stadium hoping to wreck havoc when they lock horns on Matchday 11.

Excitingly, the fixture lived up to it’s billing with the two sides showing off the best of football artistry in the middle of the park.

The host were the first to have a clear chance to establish lead at the 8th minute after Rangers International defender handled the ball inside the box.

Courageous Abia Warriors defender, Gbadamosi Jimoh, stepped forward and did justice to the goal scoring opportunity by converting from the spot.

Game on, the Umuahia warriors created handful of chances afterwards but lacked the cutting edge in the final third.

Warriors paid for their numerous wasted goal scoring chances as Rangers skipper, Uche John, rose the highest to level up things for the visitors, a goal which kept the scoreline level at half time.

Abia Warriors returned for the second half in search of its lost lead but had all it’s goal scoring chances fluffed but it’s strikers.

Cometh the hour, Cometh the man, with few minutes away from final whistle, Abia Warriors came through with a goal off the head of it’s winger, Moses Uche, who headed in Obi Samson header assist to send the fans into rapturous mood.

With the final whistle afterwards, Abia Warriors bounced back to winning ways after (4) matches.

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Nigeria Football League

NPFL Review: Abia Warriors Records Vital Way Point, Dakkada Succumb To Niger Tornadoes At Home

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After weeks of break, action resumed in the Nigeria topflight league as teams continue their quest for domestic glory.

Ten games in the offing today in the league had different groups continue the second round of the 2022/2023 Abridge league season as they hope to emerge amongst the Super Six for play-off.

In this piece, we will take a look at how actions played out in various stadia across Nigeria.

1. Rivers United vs Abia Warriors (1-1)
After a 0-0 stalemate in the first fixture in Umuahia, Coach Erasmus Onu and his boys took the war to pH city hoping to wreck havoc and get point(s).

The visitors, Abia Warriors were the first to break the deadlock off Kalu Nweke 48th goal, a goal which was cancelled out by resilient Rivers United side at the 90+ minute to ensure a share of spoils.

2. Enyimba Int’l vs Bendel Insurance (1-1)
Red-hot Nigeria professional football league striker, Obioma Chukwuemeka was the first to draw the first blood as he made no mistake to score from the spot in the first half.

The keenly contested fixture witnessed a twist at the 90mins as the visitors came through with a goal from a set-piece, a goal which ensured a share of spoils between the two sides.

3. Akwa United Vs Shooting Stars (2-0)
The promise keepers lived up to their promise as they clinch a 2-0 win over hard fighting and Starz studded Shooting Stars side.

Second half goals from Ubong Friday and Taiye Muritala was enough to secure all maximum points for the host.

4. Rangers International vs Bayelsa United (2-1)
Rangers International relied on two spot kick to fly pass Bayelsa United side.

The visitors, Bayelsa United were the first to open scoring in the first half , a goal which handed them a lead at half time break.

Rangers International fought back in the second half, made use of (2) spot kicks to clinch a win.

5. Doma United vs Lobi Stars (2-0)
The Savannah Scorpions left till the second half to unleash the damage on high flying Lobi Stars side.

Goals from Daniel Barnabas and Maurice Chigozie was enough to hand Doma United a 2-0 home win.

6. Remo Stars vs Nassarawa United (1-0)
Samuel Anakwe 16th minute goal was all the Skye blue stars needed to record a home win against the Solid miners.

7. Wikki Tourist vs Sunshine Stars (1-1)
Wikki Tourist side who scored in the second half via a spot had their hopes hit a snag as the visitors, Sunshine Stars scored an equalizer at the 86th minute to ensure a share of spoils.

8. Kwara United vs El-Kanemi Warriors (2-0)
After beating El-Kanemi Warriors away from home in the first round, Kwara United acheive a double as they clinch a 2-0 home win off the boots Omaka and Kadiri Samad.

9. Plateau United vs Gombe United (2-0)
Chimezie first half goal and Nerot Silas second half goal delivered maximum points for the Jos based side.

10. Dakada vs Niger Tornadoes (2-1)
Dakkada were served a shocker as they succumbed to a 2-1 home loss against it’s visitors.

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Nigeria Football League

Official: Former Nigeria U-20 Skipper Ikouwem Utin Shakes Hand With NPFL Clubside

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Nigeria professional football league side, Shooting Stars Sports Club have completed the signing of former Nigeria U20 Ace, Ikouwem Utin from Crotian based side, NK Slaven Belupo.

Born on Nov 11, 1999, 23-year-old Ikouwem Utin started his professional football career after teaming up with Nigeria most successful Clubside, Enyimba International.

Ikouwem Utin special talent playing from the left back position attracted National team call-up for the Nigeria U-20 flying Eagles team.

Ikouwem Utin remained a regular face in the Nigeria U-20 flying Eagles team as he went to captain the team in the U-20 World cup held in Poland.

Much sorted, Ikouwem Utin landed in Israel where he signed up for Israeli based side, Maccabi Haifa in 2019.

In search of regular playing time, Utin wentt ahead to feature for Maccabi Haifa, Bnei Sakhnin on loan between 2020-2021.

Upon his loan term expiration, Ikouwem Utin signed for Crotian based side,NK Slaven Belupo in 2021, where he made handful of apperances before returning back to team up with Shooting Stars Sports Club for the remainder of the current Nigeria professional football league campaign

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