Enyimba of Aba Head Coach Yemi Olanrewaju Daniel and influential midfielder, Eze Ekwutoziam have raised the gauntlet as the People's Elephant brace up for Sunday's 'Abia Derby' against Abia Warriors in a Match Day 12 fixture, Exclusivenews.com.ng reports.

Yema, who was visibly disappointed with his team's inability to convert their chances against 2024/2025 NPFL leaders, Remo Stars, in Aba last weekend, said he and his boys know the significance of the game in Umuahia on Sunday.

Similarly, Super Eagles Team B invitee (CHAN Eagles) Ekwutoziam believes that the weekend's game against state rivals, Abia Warriors, is more than just a normal weekend league game for the players as Enyimba will be aiming to repeat last season's feat against Abia Warriors in Umuahia.

Both Abia State NPFL sides will clash this Sunday at the Umuahia Township Stadium by 4:00pm, a game that is always a delight to watch for the neutrals but holds different meanings to fans on either divides.

Yema noted that the nine time NPFL winners may be without some key players such as Elijah Akani, Captain Somiari Alalibo, Daniel Daga and Chidiebere Nnanchi as a result varying degrees of injuries but remains optimistic that the team has enough armoury in their reservoir to influence the derby in Umuahia.

"Yeah, we know the importance of this derby, we won home and away last season", starts Yema, regarded arguably as the youngest Head Coach in the 20-team NPFL.

"Having a new coach and some new players, we know it's going to be a tough game but for us, we have ambition. We know what we are chasing, likewise them too, because they've lost their last two games.

"It's gonna be a massive game for the fans and the entire state but we would stick to our game plan and our target and hopefully we would come out smiling after the game".

He added: "We have some injury problems. Somiari is still struggling. Akani is out and we have few others too---Chidiebere Nnanchi is still out, Daga is out too with a small knock----but the players on ground can get the job done for us.

"We have to keep going. Injury is part of the game and we wish those injured a very quick recovery so we could have them back again sooner than later".

Nsuka born petit midfielder, Ekwutoziam reiterated that it is more than a weekend of league match for the players.

"Yeah, it's another weekend but it's more than a weekend to us, the Abia Derby. Abia Warriors are a good side, you know, they have had a couple of loses, so they are going to come all out on us.

"We are ready for them as well because, we know what the game means to us coming back from our previous results which is not good for us and as a team and for the status of Enyimba as a club.

"We are going to Umuahia for the maximum three points. We know it's not gonna be easy. It's a rivalry game and Abia Warriors have been a tough opponent.

"Most times Enyimba comes out being victorious, so we are ready to repeat the feat of last season against them.

"The tie in Umuahia this weekend is going to be a very difficult game for both sides but it's football, I wish and hope we take our chances early.

"With the quality of our players and coaches, we have really done a lot this week puting our previous results behind us and we are ready to move forward.

"You know it's going to be a busy week and busy month for us, the continental games are around the conner but we are ready and we take every game one at a time. It's Abia Derby and we are going all out for it".