Enyimba FC Vs Abia Warriors FC: Abia derby Match Preview
Nigeria Premier Football League fans will be thrilled with action from the Abia Derby in week 13 as Enyimba FC welcome brothers, Abia Warriors to Aba. Here is a preview of the match.
MATCH DETAILS
League: 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League
Week: Thirteen
Fixture: Enyimba FC Vs Abia Warriors
Date: Sunday, December 10, 2023
Venue: Enyimba Stadium, Aba
Time: 4pm
HEAD TO HEAD
The derby was birthed in 2014 folowing the promotion of Abia Warriors FC to the NPFL where Enyimba FC were already a household name.
In their first-ever NPFL clash back in 2014, Abia Warriors stunned their more illustrious opposition 0-1 in a keenly contested match at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba.
Cletus Itodo scored the match-winner to hand the People’s Elephants their first league home defeat in over five years.
That was a wake up call for giants Enyimba FC who have since bettered the Warriors after 15 meetings.
The People’s Elephants have won nine of their meetings, with Abia Warriors managing jut three wins with the other three games endung in draws.
CURRENT STANDING
Enyimba FC will head into the clash in fourth place on the 2023/2024 NPFL standing after picking 19 points from their 11 matches played.
Abia Warriors occupy seventh place with seventeen points from twelve matches.
NEW MANAGEMENT
Both clubs will be meeting for the first time since the appointment of a new management team by their sponsors, the Abia State Government.
While legendary Super eagles forward, Nwankwo Kanu succeeded Chief Felix Anyansi as chairman of reigning NPFL champions, Enyimba , veteran Coach, John Obuh, took over from Pastor Former Emeka Inyama at Abia Warriors.
Both new administrators retained the coaching crew from the 2022/2023 season.
SPORTSRATION SAYS
A 0-1 home loss to table-toppers Remo Stars means Finidi George tutored Enyimba FC cannot afford another slip at home in their bid to defend the NPFL title.
Their last outing was a scrappy 1-0 win over Sunshine stars in Aba while the visiting Warriors came from behind to force a 1-1 draw in Umuahia vs Sporting Lagos FC.
It will be a keen contest as usual, with Enyimba starting as favourites to take the points.
