What has come to be named Abia Classico between state rivals, Abia
Warriors and Enyimba turned out to be a six-goal thriller on Sunday.
The game was one of the Match Day 24 fixtures, coming on a day when
Peter Ebimobowei scored a hat trick in Benin for Bayelsa United in a
3-0 defeat of Kaduna United.
In other results, title holders and table toppers, Kano Pillars lost
their second successive away tie 2-1 to Warri Wolves.
Abia Warriors had on the second week of the season gone to Aba to stun
the more fancied Enyimba for the Aba side's first home defeat in a
long time and the reverse fixture thus had all the trappings of
vengeance and a quest for respect.
Skipper, Chima Uluocha, put Abia Warriors ahead from the penalty spot
with just six minutes into the encounter after an Enyimba defender was
adjudged to have handled the ball in the box. But the former African
champions fought back and put their hosts on the back foot, forcing
several corners and eventually winning their own penalty.
Five minutes of sustained pressure saw Michael Okoro handle the ball
inside the box while trying to control and Mfon Udoh made sure from
the spot, drawing the Peoples Elephant level. The Warriors were not
deterred as they fought back again and Ifeanyi Onyeali poked home a
loose ball after Femi Thomas in Enyimba's goal had handled a free kick
badly.
Free scoring wing back Uwadiegwu Ugwu waited another 13 minutes to
respond on 30th minute with a smashing right shot from over 30 yards
that nested at the left side of the Abia Warriors goal.
The first half ended 2-2 apiece and Enyimba thought they had it
wrapped when unmarked Rashid Olabiyi let fly from inside the box
amidst a sea of legs.
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