The Abia State Government has intervened in the struggling fortunes of Enyimba International FC and Abia Warriors FC following the clubs’ disappointing starts to the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.

Enyimba and Abia Warriors currently occupy 18th and 19th positions respectively, with both clubs sitting on 11 points after 12 matches. 

The situation has prompted the Abia State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to begin engagements with the management and technical teams of both clubs in a bid to identify the problems behind their poor runs and find practical solutions.

Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwaobilor Ananaba, led the intervention, accompanied by Governor Alex Otti’s Special Adviser on Sports, Raymond Ukwa.

Ananaba first held a strategic meeting with the board and technical crew of Enyimba before meeting with the management board of Abia Warriors.

During the meetings, the Commissioner challenged the club officials and technical teams to openly identify the factors affecting their performances and put forward workable solutions.

He stressed the importance of collective responsibility among the various stakeholders in restoring the two clubs to winning ways.

The Commissioner also acknowledged Governor Alex Otti’s continued support for sports development in Abia State, while urging the management boards to take the issues raised seriously and ensure that agreed solutions are implemented.

The intervention comes after a difficult run for both clubs.

Abia Warriors, who have gone six consecutive league matches without a win, drew 2-2 at home against Doma United in their Matchday 12 encounter. The result left the Umuahia-based side with 11 points from 12 matches. 

The club subsequently apologised to its supporters over the poor run, acknowledging that its position on the league table fell short of its ambitions.

Enyimba have also struggled for consistency and currently find themselves in the lower reaches of the NPFL table, prompting the government’s engagement with the club’s board and technical crew. 

The Abia Warriors head coach, Emmanuel Deutsch, and members of the club’s board expressed appreciation for the state government’s intervention and the continued support of Governor Otti.

They assured the government and supporters that the clubs would work to overcome their current difficulties and return to better form.

The government’s intervention comes at a crucial stage of the campaign, with both Abia clubs needing a significant improvement in results to move away from the relegation battle.

Abia Warriors are scheduled to face Inter Lagos in their next NPFL fixture on Sunday, November 15, while an Abia derby against Enyimba is scheduled for November 22.