By Christopher Clinton

 

 Head Coach of Abia Warriors Football Club, Imama Amapakabo, has praised his players following their impressive victory over Barau FC at the Umuahia Township Stadium, securing three vital points in front of their home fans.

 

Speaking to the media after the match, Coach Imama expressed delight over the result but admitted that his team’s finishing could have been sharper. Despite the win, he noted that the Warriors missed several scoring chances and should have converted more than the four goals they managed on the day.

 

“I’m happy with the three points, but honestly, I expected more goals,” Imama said. “We created many chances, but our conversion rate wasn’t where it should be. My boys need to do much better going forward.”

 

The coach emphasized that every match presents a new challenge, adding that his priority is to maintain focus and consistency as the season progresses.

 

“Every game is a different ball game. Bad days may come, but what matters is staying focused on the next match,” he said. “Our main concern now is getting results on the road. We have to keep pushing, believing in ourselves, and working harder, especially in defense and finishing.”

 

Imama also highlighted the demanding nature of the league schedule, noting that constant travel and tight match fixtures have taken a toll on his players.

 

“It’s not been easy for the boys,” he explained. “It’s stressful and tough playing back-to-back games with long trips every week. Recovery time has been short, but we’ll keep managing as we prepare to travel to Minna on Friday for our clash against Niger Tornadoes on Sunday.”

 

The coach commended the NPFL for scheduling more weekend fixtures this season, which he believes has helped improve match organization and player recovery.

 

“I must congratulate the league organizers for the weekend games. It’s a good improvement, and we hope to keep playing better than we did last season,” he concluded.

 

Abia Warriors will be hoping to continue their strong form as they head to Minna for what promises to be another challenging encounter in the ongoing league campaign.