Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia recorded their first away win of the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season with a narrow but impressive 1-0 victory over Kwara United at the George Agbazika Innih Stadium Complex in Ilorin.

 

A 48th-minute penalty calmly dispatched by in-form striker Emeka Obioma proved decisive, handing the Warriors all three points in a tense Matchday 7 encounter.

 

The spot-kick was awarded early in the second half after a Kwara United defender was adjudged to have handled the ball under pressure inside the penalty area. Referee Tope John Ajeleye, officiating from Lagos State, had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Obioma made no mistake, sending goalkeeper Nurudeen Badmus the wrong way to notch his second consecutive goal for the Umuahia-based side.

Warriors’ head coach, Imama Amapakabo, rang two changes from the side that edged out reigning champions Remo Stars last week, bringing in Casmir Azubuike and Yakub Hammed for Sunday Megwo and Paul Samson.

 

Both teams started cautiously, but it was the visitors who looked more composed on the ball, dominating possession. The first real threat came in the 19th minute when left wing-back Faiz Jubrin delivered a pinpoint cross that found Obioma in space, only for Badmus to produce a superb reflex save.

 

Kwara United responded with sporadic attacks but were consistently denied by a well-organised Warriors backline marshalled by Innocent Gabriel, Jubrin Faiz, Adekunle Adeleke, and Somiari Alalibo, with goalkeeper Okiemute Odah providing a solid last line of defence.

 

The deadlock remained as both sides entered the halftime break with little to separate them.

Immediately after the restart, the Warriors came out with renewed intensity. Their pressure paid off just three minutes into the half, culminating in the penalty and eventual goal that separated the two sides.

 

Kwara United head coach, Tunde Sanni, responded with multiple substitutions in a bid to change the tide, but his side failed to break through the disciplined Warriors’ defence.

 

Abia Warriors’ midfield was anchored by the experienced Fatai Abdullahi, whose calm presence and game management helped snuff out any late resurgence from the hosts.

 

As the Harmony Boys mounted late pressure, Warriors’ goalkeeper Okiemute Odah rose to the occasion with two spectacular saves that silenced the home fans and preserved his side’s slender lead.

 

In the closing stages, Coach Amapakabo introduced fresh legs—Maxwell Kangeshima, Innocent Godwin, Israel Joseph, and Chindi Merpring—to see out the game, a strategy that worked to perfection.

With this result, Abia Warriors continue their impressive start to the NPFL season, while Kwara United face growing pressure to turn their fortunes around.

 

Obioma’s form in front of goal and the team’s defensive solidity will be key talking points as the Warriors prepare for their next fixture.