Abia Warriors FC suffered a 2-0 defeat to Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan in a fiercely contested Matchday 15 fixture of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Ibadan.

The game’s decisive moments came in the first half, with 3SC displaying dominance and clinical finishing.

Shooting Stars broke the deadlock in the 38th minute when Okachi Anthony converted a penalty after relentless pressure from the hosts. Two minutes later, Joshua Akpan capitalized on a defensive lapse by the visitors, slotting in from close range to double the advantage before halftime.

The Warriors struggled to match 3SC’s intensity in the opening period, with limited attacking opportunities and defensive lapses costing them dearly.

Abia Warriors, under the guidance of coach Imama Amapakabo, showed resilience in the second half, making tactical adjustments with substitutions. Fullbacks Philip Ogwuche and Samuel Atavti were replaced by Isaac Afolabi and Augustine Njoku to bolster the team’s wings.

The changes sparked life into the Warriors’ attack. They came close to pulling one back when Emmanuel Onu’s solo run set up Anthony Ijoma for a tap-in. However, Ijoma’s effort was saved, and the rebound was wasted by Adejoh Ojonugwa.

Minutes later, Ijoma missed another golden opportunity, hitting the side netting from a well-timed through ball.

The second half saw the visitors dominate possession and create numerous chances, but their inability to convert those opportunities proved costly. Shooting Stars held firm, and their fans breathed a sigh of relief as the final whistle confirmed the Ibadan side’s victory.

Abia Warriors will now focus on their next challenge, a home clash against Niger Tornadoes at the Umuahia Township Stadium on Sunday, December 8, 2024. Meanwhile, 3SC’s victory solidifies their position in the league standings, boosting their aspirations for a strong finish this season.

The Warriors must regroup and sharpen their finishing to bounce back as the league season progresses.