NPFL: Rangers holds Abia Warriors in Oriental Derby 

The fourth ‘Oriental Derby’ of the 2017/2018 NPFL season ended on a stalemate as neither hosts, Abia Warriors nor visitor’s, Enugu Rangers International could break the deadlock in a match Day 7 encounter inside a capacity filled, Umuahia Township stadium, Sunday.

Abia Warriors started the match on an ambitious note fully aware that a solitary point from an available six in its last two encounters was not good enough for its teaming fans as FIFA badge referee, Dr. Udennaka from Anambra state signalled start of hostilities.

The first quarter of the match clearly belonged to the host as the quartet of Ndifreke Effiong, Shedrack Asiegbu, Obi Samson and Kalu Nweke tightened the screw on the backline of Rangers that did well to contain the series of attack.

Bright Silas and Godwin Aguda combined well at the other end to make Joshua Enaholo sweat for his money as the former junior international who stood between the sticks for the host made a great save off a Godwin Zaki’ close range effort on 34 minutes.

Rangers ended the half stronger and coach Ogunbote made two inspiring changes as the second stanza started with Ugwu Uwadiegwu coming in for injured, Adun Osamudiamwen while lanky, Yusuf Ibrahim came in for Ugonna Anyora and the host’s defence was the worse off as the visitors took complete control of the encounter but could not translate their dominance into goals as a combination of good goalkeeping and inaccurate shooting robbed the match of goals.

Enaholo made two point blank saves in a minute off Godwin Zaki at the hour mark just four minutes after the host’ defenders made frantic efforts to make a goal line clearance as Yusuf Ibrahim was free on goal by a Godwin Aguda’ intelligent cut-back.

A penalty appeal was also waved off by the referee Bright Silas was wrestled down by Abiodun Adebayo inside the box after he ran onto a Salau Ibrahim’ defence splitting pass just as Kabiru Ayinde’ timely clearance denied Aguda a sniff at goal on 69 minutes.

There was opportunities for the host to also test the resolve of Femi Thomas in the game as Shedrack Asiegbu’ two long range efforts in the last ten minutes of the game were calmly collected just as substitute, Idemekoh Uduak’ shot from a tight angle failed to beat the former senior international.

Coach Ogunbote in a post match chat said, “This was two points lost for us because it was a game we could have won with as much as three goals but I thank God for the one point. It was a good match considering the fact that it was a derby and no derbies are ever easy.”

Cameroonian coach, Emmanuel Deutcsh, of Abia Warriors said, “It was not a good game for us as we could not much up front but I give kudos to my defenders who did well to contain Rangers today. For me, it was two points lost at home and we have to show more maturity so as to catch up with other teams. Don’t forget that I did not make the recruitment of the players but I believe that by the next window, we shall get it right.”