Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia continued their preparations for the forthcoming Nigeria Professional Football League campaign with a resounding 2-0 victory over Rangers International of Enugu in an inter-club friendly match to avenge the 1-0 loss they suffered in their first game in Enugu.
The encounter, which took place at the renovated Umuahia Township Stadium, was watched by some high profile personalities who had thronged the arena to catch a glimpse of the new Abia Warriors, including the State Commissioner for Sports, Chief David Chigbu and the Chairman of the Nigeria National League, NNL, Chief Emeka Inyama who is also the Chairman, Abia Warriors Fc.
Captain Chima Uluocha gave the home side the lead from the penalty spot barely 10 minutes into the game, while new boy, Kwassi Judicael doubled the advantage shortly after with a powerful shot from outside the 16-metre box.
The Ochendo Babes, whose attack was marshaled by Peter Onyekachi prodded the defense of the Flying Antelope several times but failed to increase the tally until the referee blasted the final whistle.
Speaking to sports writers after the game, a member of the Rangers International Technical crew, Kingsley Obiekwu said he was satisfied with the way his boys reacted particularly after conceding the two early goals and assured of a better performance in future matches.
Obiekwu, a member of Nigeria’s U-23 gold-winning squad to the Atlanta ’96 Olympic Games in the United States of America, said the aim of the team was to win trophies this season.
On his part, Emeka Ezeugo, the Technical Adviser of Abia Warriors, described the team as “a work in progress”, insisting that although they won the match, some works needed to be done to enable the team rub shoulders with the big boys in the elite league.