Abia Warriors have secured a continental slot for the first time in their history after a thrilling 2-1 victory over El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri at the Umuahia Township Stadium. This remarkable achievement comes as results from other centers confirmed that their closest rivals, Ikorodu City of Lagos and Enyimba of Aba, both suffered defeats in their away games against Remo Stars and Nasarawa United, respectively.

The match against El-Kanemi Warriors was intense, with El-Kanemi taking the lead in the closing stages of the first half through Muktar Ismail's well-placed shot. However, Abia Warriors showed resilience and determination, coming back strong in the second half to secure the win.

With this victory, Abia Warriors have opened a four-point gap against their closest rivals, with only one game remaining to end the season. This historic achievement marks a significant milestone for the team, as they prepare to represent Nigeria on the continental stage next season.