Abia Warriors netted twice in the second half to end a winless run against Remo Stars last Saturday in Okigwe and Coach Imama Amapakabo put the win down to a quick decision to exploit dead ball situations.
Abia Warriors returned to the second 45minutes to take the lead from Yakubu Ahmed 61st minute free kick while Valentine Odoh scored the second goal in the 80th minute.
Speaking to www.npfl.ng post match, Amapakabo explained that after observing the Remo Stars lineup, he had to improvise a match plan for the second half and leaned on the players to make better use of set pieces.
He revealed that the team has been working on set pieces and was happy to have gotten a set piece goal. 
“We needed to utilise the set pieces that we have had. We have been terrible with set pieces. We worked on it but when anxiety sets in, players tend to lose it but fortunately we were able to get a goal through a set piece”, the former Rangers Coach remarked.
He also spoke of his reading of the Remo Stars game approach from what he saw of their squad.
“Fortunately when I saw the lineup, I knew they would be coming up with a different formation. They kept a very low line and they kept a high number of players behind the line”.

“What we were not doing right in the first half was trying to keep possession and we didn’t have that individual brilliance and we were not making positive runs. We knew that we needed to drag them out of possession. We needed some bit of creativity”
Remo Stars coach, Gbenga Ogungbote said he was disappointed with the result as his team were careless in the game. 
“It was a disappointing game for me too. You see we had many careless moments especially in the second half. But sometimes when it happens you pick your pieces and then move on”, rued Ogunbote
Abia Warriors will go away to play Dakkada in Uyo in the next fixture while Remo Stars host Rangers International FC. 

“It’s really challenging because we’ve failed to deal with teams ahead of us though hard luck has also been a factor during this period but we are very optimistic that we will come back better”, Biffo concluded.

Both teams had filed out with purpose of intent as seen in the opening fifteen minutes of the match.

The first real chance at goal came after 20 minutes when Fatokun found Alao Danbani with a delightful pass but the striker missed a sitter. Moments later, Abia Warriors Anumudu found space down the left but his effort was saved by Iwu in goal for Kwara.

Kwara United nearly took the lead just past the half hour mark when Samuel Bamidele’s effort from a freekick clipped the right post. Just when it seemed the half was drawing to a close, Danbani found Samuel Tiza who finished past Edafe Vincent to give his side the advantage going into the break.

The opening five minutes of the restart was action filled. Afeez Nosiru earned a yellow for a reckless challenge on Valentine Odoh followed by a double substitution by the Harmony Boys with the duo of Samad Kadiri and Ayobami Junior replacing Junior Lokosa and Chisom Emmanuel respectively.

Moments later, Abia Warriors got the equaliser when Godwin Obaje’s Inviting cross from the right found Odoh whose volley could not be cleared on time leaving referee Buhari Bawa to rule that the ball had crossed the line.

The event had
FIFA Futuro III Referees Technical Instructor, CAF trained Referees Technical Instructor and Assessor, Chief Eke Onyeforo as the Resource Person.

In his opening remark, Abia Warriors Chairman Pastor Emeka Inyama advised the participants to attach seriousness to the seminar as that is the part of the requirements for the commencement of the new season.

The participants were taken through the recent introductions in the laws of the game, especially as it relates to offsides and hand.

Reacting at the end of seminar which was attended by State FA Chairman, Referees Chairman and Coaches Chairman, the Head Coach of Abia Warriors Imama Amakpakabo was appreciative to the management of the club for the opportunity given to the players and officials to keep abreast of the recent changes in the laws of the game. He said such will surely help the team when the league begins.

By FAVOUR ITUA

Abia Warriors shot stopper Ojo Olorunleke says working with Coach Imama Amapakabo is exceptional and believes the season will come good for them.

Speaking exclusively to Wazobia FM Sports Correspondent Favour Itua, the former Akwa United United and Sunshine Stars goalie hailed the handling of the former Super Eagles assistant Coach saying the atmosphere in Abia Warriors has been lovely.

“Talking about Imama, he is a great coach, believe me I have worked with different coaches I will say Coach Imama is exceptional, his own way is different.

There is no how you will work with a man like Coach Imama and you will not want to give your best or have a positive target for yourself. It has been a very lovely atmosphere since I came and with the other of my colleagues, management, officials everybody are good and I believe we will have a good season”.

Olorunleke registered his presence at the ongoing Governor Wike Preseason Cup with a clean sheet for the Umuahia based team as they scored four past Udala Fc.

The impressive ceremony held at the Umuahia Township Stadium, and was anchored by the Club Secretary Ebere Esiaba and Sporting Director Patrick Ngwaogu, saw the elated Coach expressing confidence on the ability of the Umuahia wardlords in making maximum impact in the league next season.

Imama who signed a two year contract with the Umuahia team, promised to work tirelessly with every Abians to lead the team to glory in the new season.

He said that the task of taking Abia Warriors Football Club to  the next level, is a collecting one.

He called for the support of all to ensure that the team achieve its heart desires.

It could be recalled that Imama Amapakabo  handled Rangers International of Enugu to its first League win in 2016 after 34 years.
 He was the Assistant Coach to the Super Eagles to the last 2018 Senior World cup in Russia.