Two first half goals from Anthony Ijoma and Sunday Megwo secured a comfortable 2-0 win for Abia Warriors of Umuahia, over Ikorodu City of Lagos, in the Matchday 18 encounter of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League, played at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

The victory ensured that Umu Chineke ended the last home game of the first stanza of the league campaign in a frenzy.

Coach Imama Amapakabo made two changes to the side that lost the last league game against El-Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri with Sunday Megwo and Ojonugwa Adejoh replacing the duo of Daniel Aghahowa and Innocent Godwin respectively.

The league new comers went all out against the Warriors from the first blast of the referee's whistle, winning a corner inside the opening two minutes but the Warriors kept them at bay. 

In the 10th minute, the home side had a breakthrough. A swift cross from Isaac John picked out Sunday Megwo, who sold dummy to his marker, allowing his strike partner, Anthony Ijoma to shoot into the net for the opener.

Three minutes later, the Warriors would have doubled their lead when a short corner from Paul Samson to Isaac John found Sunday Megwo, whose header had beaten the goalkeeper, only for the ball to hit the back of Collins Nwoburuoke, and roll away from goal.

In the 22nd minute, the visitors had their stars to thank for not being two goals down, when Paul Samson's effort came off the upright.

The Warriors were all over the visitors, and they were not to be denied in the second minute of the three minutes added time, as Sunday Megwo headed home a scintillating cross from the impressive Paul Samson to double the lead for the home side.

The second half saw the Pride of Abia attempting to increase the tally but failed to convert the numerous chances that came their way.

Despite a late fight back from the Lagosians, they were not able to find the back of the net as the Warriors saw the game to its logical conclusion.

Up next for Abia Warriors is a Matchday 19 encounter against Bayelsa United at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, on the 29th of December 2024.