EUROMATCH–NPFL: Abia Warriors Coach Amapakabo Laments Home Draws

Abia Warriors head coach Imama Amapakabo has lamented his team’s goalless draw against Rivers United in Sunday’s EuroMatch/NPFL Matchday 8 clash in Aba, describing the result as “two points lost”, Completesports.com reports.

The result means Abia Warriors have drawn three of their four home games in the eight matches they have played so far in the 2026/2027 EUROMATCH-NPFL season.

The visibly frustrated coach told reporters at the post-match press conference that his team had squandered the opportunity to claim all three points.

“It’s two points dropped. You know, it’s two points dropped because, to me, I go into every game wanting to win. We had a big problem today in the offensive transition,” Amapakabo said.

Also Read: EUROMATCH–NPFL: Abia Warriors Must Beat Rivers United To Close Gap At The Top – Amapakabo

“Our players were not recognising the moment for transition enough. Like I told them, you must not fear. Show respect, but not fear. But I think that, at a point in time, it was like they were doubting their own abilities, which was a big factor in the game.

“But we’ll go back, keep on working and keep on pushing them, instilling in their mentality that they can get a result. Most of them never believed it was going to be like this. But it is like this. It is what it is.”

Abia Warriors: Amapakabo Worried About Dropped Home Points

The 2015/2016 EuroMatch/NPFL title-winning coach with Rangers International reiterated his disappointment with the result, admitting that his team had already dropped six points at home this season.

“Yes, it’s two points lost. I’ve lost six points at home so far, and it counts for something. If you look at it now, we’ve got nine points from eight games out of a possible 24. I always try to play to get the desired result,” Amapakabo added.

Obioma’s Goalscoring Burden Concerns Abia Warriors Coach

Experienced forward Chukwuemeka Obioma has shouldered much of Abia Warriors’ goalscoring responsibility. Last season, Amapakabo described the striker as “the only striker with the grace for goals”.

Asked whether he was concerned that Abia Warriors struggled to score whenever Obioma was unable to deliver, Amapakabo answered in the affirmative.

“Yes, you know, when a team has one individual they count on for goals, it is not the best. I’ve been challenging some of my young players who have been around him. Look, you must stand up to be counted.

“Because, if you leave him alone, at a point in today’s game, I felt pity for him because he was already completely fagged out,” he explained.

Also Read: EUROMATCH–NPFL: Finidi Pleased With Rivers United’s Away Form Despite Tough Aba Test

“I left him on the pitch deliberately because of the ‘he has a grace for goals’ factor. He’s played almost all eight games and scored six goals and provided one assist, an awesome performance for any striker anywhere in the world.

“But we’ll continue working, hoping that one of those players will be able to come to the party.”

Amapakabo Praises Young Defender Meyanga After Debut

The former Nigeria U-20 national team, Flying Eagles, goalkeeper handed rookie defender Godwin Meyanga his Premier League debut for the season, and the youngster rose to the occasion.

“Yes, if you look at my team from last season, you’ll notice that we’re rebuilding. And I think he was the only player I spoke to directly today. I told him, ‘Boy, go out there and enjoy yourself. Play the game with all your heart. If it doesn’t work out for you, when you’re going back home, you can say, “I played with all my heart,”’” Amapakabo remarked.

“And quite wonderfully, he really answered his name. I’ll keep on introducing the young lads, as long as they prove to me in our practice sessions that they can deliver results.

“It is football, like I always say, not ‘foot brawl’. Kudos to him. He played against one of the biggest teams in the land this season, and I think I will score him very highly.”