NPFL: Abia Warriors hope to recover lost points against Rangers


Technical Adviser of Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia, Imama Amapakabo, is not perturbed as his team prepares to face league champions, Rangers International Football Club of Enugu, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.

Abia Warriors, also known as Umu Chineke, will play against the Flying Antelopes in Matchday 5 of the Nigeria Premier Football League at the home side’s fortress, The Cathedral.

The game has made headlines for the simple reason that Amapakabo, the former Nigeria national Under-23 head coach, will be battling Rangers, the team he tutored to win the Nigerian League back in 2016.

However, while speaking with Abia Warriors Media, the gaffer said he was not bothered about history but sees the tie as a mission that must be accomplished.

“Indifferent, I feel it is a job that has to be done. Fortunately, yesterday, they were able to win their game (against Bayelsa United), so they are on a high. But like I always say, every game is different from the other”, Imama said.

He further stated that the Warriors will fight for the maximum points at stake.

“We have been able to look at the things we need to work on; we’ve worked very hard. We’ve been able to put a victory under our belt, and we are going to go to Enugu, there will be three points in the sky for all of us to fight for, and I believe it’s going to be an exciting game.”

The gaffer also reiterated his intention to recover lost points.

“I go to play every game with victory in mind. Let’s look at it that I’ve lost 3 points at home so, I need to recover it at a certain point in time somewhere. And the players know that we’ve worked very hard, and I’m not the coach that is going to be sitting back, it’s an open game, I like whenever anybody comes to watch my team play, the spectator goes back home with his money’s worth, and he will want to watch Abia Warriors play again”, he further stated.

He continued, ” Rangers are on a high; let us not forget that they are the defending champions; we accord them that respect that they deserve, but then, no fear, we are going to play our game as best as we possibly can.”