Abia Warriors will aim to seize top spot in the Nigeria Premier Football League when they welcome Enyimba to the Umuahia Township Stadium on Sunday in what promises to be a fiery 20th Abia derby, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

The Umuahia side have been one of the standout teams this season under coach Imama Amapakabo, whose men have collected 21 points to sit second on the log.

They will look to continue their impressive home form when they face their more illustrious rivals. Enyimba, meanwhile, have had a mixed run this term, sitting eighth with 16 points, and are under pressure to prove their title credentials.

Referee Patience Madu will take charge of the fixture, with Tejiri Digbori and Faith Agbons as assistant referees and Iraneus Ezeobele serving as the fourth official.

Historically, Enyimba have dominated this derby, winning 12 of the previous 19 encounters, while four have ended in draws.

Four of those victories have come on the road in Umuahia, and the fixture has produced 46 goals overall. With the Warriors enjoying a purple patch and Enyimba looking to rebuild momentum after ending their winless streak last weekend, the stage is set for a fiercely contested tie.

A subplot to watch will be the return of Chukwuemeka Obioma, who faces his former club for the first time since his transfer to Abia Warriors.

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The forward has scored three goals in eight appearances since joining the Umuahia outfit and remains one of their most influential attacking options this season.

Obioma was instrumental for Enyimba during their 2022/23 title-winning campaign, finishing as the league’s top scorer with 16 goals and being crowned Player of the Season at the League Bloggers Awards. After unsuccessful spells abroad with Al Bashayer and Al-Majd, he has rediscovered form in Umuahia, and all eyes will be on whether he can punish his former employers.

Enyimba’s head coach, Stanley Eguma, will also be under scrutiny, having been issued a two-game warning following inconsistent results. His side has struggled to find rhythm, managing just one win in their last six outings, including defeats to Plateau United, Warri Wolves and Kun Khalifat. This game is the last decider to checkmate his fate at the helm of the Peoples’ Elephants.

Abia Warriors, on the other hand, have won five of their last seven matches, including victories over Niger Tornadoes, Barau, El Kanemi Warriors, Kwara United and Remo Stars.

Their defensive solidity and improved attacking coordination have made them one of the most balanced sides this term.

With both teams chasing different ambitions as the Warriors look to stake a claim for the title and Enyimba keen to climb back into contention, the 20th Abia derby is set to deliver another dramatic chapter in this regional oriental rivalry.

It is difficult to predict who will prevail, but the atmosphere in Umuahia is expected to be electric as the Warriors seek to make a bold statement against their more decorated neighbours.