It was a day of mixed fortunes for Abia State football clubs in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) on Sunday, as Enyimba International FC were held to a goalless draw by newcomers Barau FC, while Abia Warriors secured a crucial victory against Kano Pillars.
The People's Elephant, Enyimba FC, struggled to break down the resilient Barau FC defense in a tense encounter played at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano. The match ended in a 0-0 stalemate, with Enyimba finishing the game with only nine players on the pitch after two red cards.
Meanwhile, at the Umuahia Township Stadium, Abia Warriors secured all three points with a 1-0 victory over Kano Pillars. Paul Samson emerged as the hero for the Warriors, netting the decisive goal in the 35th minute to send the home crowd into jubilation.
The Umuahia-based side, which featured six new players in their lineup, demonstrated remarkable resilience to withstand late pressure from the visiting Kano Pillars and protect their slender lead until the final whistle.
Following these results, Abia Warriors maintain their impressive second position on the NPFL table, trailing only El Kanemi Warriors. Enyimba, on the other hand, currently occupy the 10th position in the standings.
The contrasting performances highlight the competitive nature of this season's NPFL campaign, with newcomers like Barau FC showing they can compete against established powerhouses such as eight-time champions Enyimba.
For Abia Warriors, this victory provides momentum as they continue their pursuit of El Kanemi Warriors at the top of the table, while Enyimba will need to regroup quickly to improve their standing in the league.
Stay updated with the latest NPFL news and follow BenriNews on our social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Telegram.
