As the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League enters the crucial stage, Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia will battle Enugu Rangers International in an Oriental Derby that is expected to be fierce and electrifying.

The matchday 25 encounter will hold at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba where the Warriors will be playing their home games due to the extensive renovation work currently going on at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

Umu Chineke find themselves with one point from their last three games, consequently dropping out of the top three, no thanks to the loss to Katsina United in the last league fixture. 

But they will not back down as they are fixated on getting their mojo back with the belief that  a top-three place is still up for grabs for another Continental action.

Abia Warriors gaffer, Imama Amapakabo, who tutored Rangers to the league title a couple of years ago, will be eager for his side to get back on track and start recovering lost points by defeating his former employers.

 His body language and the manner he yells instructions during training sessions say it all: "The Warriors want another test of Continental football", he said as the Warriors lay wait for the Flying Antelope  in this Oriental Derby in Aba.

One point separates the two Oriental brothers on the league table, and a win for the home side will see them leapfrog the visitors and possibly jump to third position depending on other results.

A typical Oriental derby defies logic, league position or history and so, spectators should expect an intriguing tie as they have full value for their money.

The Warriors have averaged 0.83 goals (scored) per game and 0.71 goals conceded, whereas Enugu Rangers has averaged 1.17 goals (scored) and 0.83 goals conceded.

After 24 Premier League games played, the Umuahia warlords occupy the 5th position on the league table with 38 points, while the Flying Antelopes are in 3rd position with 39 points.

*Head To Head: Last 5 Games*

21/09/25 RFC 2-0 AWFC
19/02/25 AWFC 1-0 RFC
06/10/24 RFC 1-0 AWFC
16/04/24 RFC 3-2 AWFC
26/11/23 AWFC 1-0 RFC

 

*Injury Update*

OUT

Augustine Njoku, Yakub Hammed, Wilson Elu and Ayodele Ezekiel are out with injuries. 

IN

Innocent Godwin and Israel Joseph are back.

New Signings

Odunlami Yinka
Uzoma Chinonso Stephen
Omoge Ebenezer Sogo 
Ibrahimi Idris Alonge 
Ugwu Tochukwu Valentine