by 
Christopher Clinton_

It was a nut to crack when Suraj Lawal scored an injury time goal to secure a draw for Abia Warriors against Rivers United in a pulsating Matchday 16 encounter of the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixture that ended 1-1 at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

It was a game that the Warriors could have won, but their profligacy in front of goal was their worst undoing.

It was a highly tactical and technical game that started with the Warriors taking the game to the visitors right from the first blast of the Referee's whistle, but their front line failed to convert the numerous chances that came their way.

Later run, The second half saw the Abia Warriors raise the tempo of the game, and they pinned the visitors to their own half, only reducing their play to counterattacks that the Warriors' defence dealt with.

The home side thought they had scored the opener in the 55th minute when former Enyimba goalkeeper, Ani Ozoemena,  spilled a shot, and Suraj Lawal tapped in the rebound, but the First Assistant Referee infuriated the home bench and fans when he raised his flag for offside.

Other chances still came the way of the Warriors which they could not take, and against the run of play, the visitors went in front.

Ubong Friday's delivery from a counterattack could not be cut off by the Warriors' defence, and substitute, Maclyn Biokpo Jenewari took full advantage to score in the 86th minute.

The visitors' bench thought they had secured the maximum points at stake only for Suraj Lawal to jump the highest and head home Jubrin Faiz's delivery for the equalizer four minutes into the additional five minutes time to save the blushes of the home team.

Another match came up next for the Abia Warriors is a tie against The Newly Promoted Kun Khalifat Football Club of Owerri on Sunday,  December 14, 2025, at the Dan Anyiam Stadium.