Abia Warriors set sights on continental return after NPFL lessons

Abia Warriors Sporting Director Emeka Ifejiagwa says the club are ready to challenge for a place in African inter-club competition when the 2026/2027 Nigeria Premier Football League season begins on 30 August 2026.

The Abia State side will open their campaign against Kun Khalifat at Enyimba Stadium in Aba on Saturday, 30 August, with the venue serving as their adopted home ground for the season.

Ifejiagwa, a former Udoji United and Iwuanyanwu Nationale centre-back and ex-Super Eagles defender, said the club’s preparations had put them in a strong position ahead of the new campaign.

“I can say without contradiction that as a club, Abia Warriors are ready and prepared for the 2026/2027 NPFL,” Ifejiagwa stated.

The squad recently returned from Ikenne, where they competed in a pre-season tournament that also functioned as a training camp. They then continued their preparations in Aba during a period of concentration camping before the league’s opening fixtures.

“And since we came back, we’ve been here in Aba as part of our concentration camping ahead of the kick-off of the 2026/2027 season.

“So, against this backdrop, I can say that we’re prepared for the coming season. Our first match of the season, on Saturday, 30 August, is against Kun Khalifat of Owerri, here in Aba and we’re looking forward to it.”

Abia Warriors finished seventh in the 2025/2026 NPFL season with 55 points after their challenge for a top-three position faded late in the campaign.

Ifejiagwa said injuries and a loss of form prevented the club from achieving its target, with defeats or dropped opportunities against Kun Khalifat and Warri Wolves proving particularly costly.

“We started the last season with high hopes. We went for it. We gave it everything. But somehow, late in the season, injuries came. We later overcame that and loss of form came late into the campaign.

“Again, we recovered late but then, the damage had been done. If we had won against Kun Khalifat and Warri Wolves, surely, we would have touched our hands on our season’s target, which is a ticket back to the continent,” Ifejiagwa lamented.

The club have responded by reshaping the squad. Several players from last season have departed, while younger recruits have been brought in to provide energy, pace and technical ability alongside the existing experience.

“Some of the players we paraded last season have left. We’ve equally recruited some young and energetic ones to take their places. You can’t buy experience in the market. At the same time, you can’t do without youthfulness, energy, skill and speed.

“That’s the balance we now have in the team. Don’t forget, technically, Abia Warriors is one of the teams that has the best collection of experienced technical crew.”

Ifejiagwa also pointed to the depth of experience within the club’s technical structure, which includes Management Committee Chairman John Obuh, technical adviser Imama Amapakabo, Ike Shorunmu, Bethel Orji and Ifejiagwa himself.

“Right from our Management Committee Chairman, John Obuh, who is an ex-player and coach, to the technical adviser, Imama Amapakabo, Ike Shorunmu, Bethel Orji and myself as Sporting Director you can see the experience in the technical crew behind Abia Warriors.

“So, we hope and we pray, just as we try to work hard for a better performance this coming season, so that we can go back into the continent next season.”

The Sporting Director praised Abia State Governor Dr Alex Otti for supporting the club financially, particularly with the additional demands created by playing home matches away from their usual base.

He also urged supporters to remain committed as Abia Warriors attempt to restore their place in continental football.

“When it comes to funding, His Excellency, Dr Alex Otti, Executive Governor of Abia State, has been there for us.

“He understands the cost implications of us playing kind of ‘home away from home’. And as for our fans, I want to tell you something: ‘when this (technical crew and management) came on board, the fans had this belief that if you can’t win (the league), better keep us where you met us’.

“And I told them that philosophy isn’t our portion. Then, we have been taking the club to the continent and, for the fact that we’re unable to do that this last season, I can say it wasn’t a nice campaign for us.

“This time, we hope to do better and reclaim our spot in the continent’s inter-club competition.”

Ifejiagwa said playing at Enyimba Stadium would not undermine Abia Warriors’ prospects, provided the pitch and officiating standards were maintained.

“I’ve played football in several countries across Europe. And I’ve come to understand that with a good pitch, level playing field in terms of officiating, any team can win anywhere.

“So, I think we’re at home here in Aba. Let the officiating be at the top level and everyone will enjoy good football.”

He also called on the Nigeria Premier Football League organisers to introduce Video Assistant Referee technology to improve decision-making and strengthen the competition’s appeal to investors.

Ifejiagwa commended the NPFL Board leadership of Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye and Davidson Owumi for their work in reforming the domestic league. He also praised the referees for their overall performance last season, while saying some officials had fallen short of the required professional standards.

“I must first commend the leadership of the Nigeria Premier Football League Board led by Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye and Davidson Owumi. They have done a great job in reforming and refining the domestic league.

“I also commend the referees; they did a very good job last season. But then, there were some who came short of their professional calling. Football is a big business. It’s a big industry. And investors are expected to come in.

“In view of this, I would want the organisers to see the salient need for the introduction of VAR in our league. It’s very important, at least, to ensure that our games run near flawlessly. If this happens, investors would be encouraged to come in and put their money.”