Warriors Close up on Pillars as Eguavoen Makes Losing Start

Abia Warriors is now a point behind Nigeria Premier League leaders Kano Pillars after beating 10-man Nasarawa United that dropped to third place as a result while former Super Eagles coach Austin Eguavoen lost in his managerial debut for Gimbe United.

Following a goalless first half in Umuahia, John Eze Prince marked his debut for Abia Warriors with the opening goal ahead on the hour mark, tapping home a pass from substitute Peter Onyekachi.

Matters went bad 10 minutes later for Nasarawa United as James Amos got himself sent off for elbowing and on the 80th minute, it got worse for the vistors when Makama Emmanuel’s own goal made it 2-0 for Abia Warriors.

Sulieman Saleem pulled a goal back for Nasarawa United four minutes later but it proved mere consolation as the Warriors held on for a 2-1 win to go second on the league table.

Nasarawa meanwhile is third with 31 points, three points behind Kano Pillars and only ahead of Giwa FC, Warri Wolves and Akwa United by virtue of goal difference.

In another Premier League match, Lobi Stars came from a goal down to defeat Heartland 2-1 in Katsina-ala courtesy of a Joseph Essien goal deep in stoppage time.

Clement Bobby opened the scoring in the 37th minute on his debut for the Naze Millionaires but captain Moses Bunde equalised for Lobi early in the second half before Essien, making his debut for Lobi, came through with the winner three minutes into stoppage time.

The win saw Lobi rise to 11th on the league table with 28 points while Heartland dropped to 14th, a point behind Lobi Stars and FC Taraba that beat Gombe United by a lone goal in Jalingo in what was Austin Eguavoen’s first match in charge of relegation threatened Gombe United.