A 50th minute Chinenye Agoha strike gave Abia Warriors a 1-0 win over Warri Wolves in the Nigeria Professional Football League on Sunday.
It was a game the home side needed to win by all means as they have had a poor run in the last two months, including losing twice at home to Sunshine Stars and Plateau United.
After a flurry of misses in the first half, Agoha eventually turned out the one that put smiles on the face of coach Kennedy Boboye for his first win since June 19 when they defeated Heartland 1-0.
“I agree we needed this win badly after the poor run we have had recently and I believe this will be the beginning of a new era for the team.
“Yes, the boys were shaky at first and anxious to score and we could have won this by two or three-nil but in any case we are happy with the win as it came,” Boboye said.
Man of the match, Stanley Okoro gave Joseph Eyimofe lots of work to do in the game starting from the ninth minute when he went past the full back and crossed in the box but Wolves keeper, Dele Ajiboye, punched clear for a corner kick.
Five minutes later it was Okoro again who dribbled into the box and tried to score but Ajiboye punched his effort clear.
Two minutes after that Okoro effort, it took the outstretched leg of Monday Osagie to clear off the line after Ajiboye was beaten from a header.
Stanley Okoro again was on hand two minutes before half time with a glancing header but Ajiboye punched out for a corner.
But when the goal came in the 50th minute, it was Agoha that found space in the Warri Wolves defence to slot beyond the reach of Ajiboye, something, the Warri Wolves coach, Mansur Abdullahi called a lapse in concentration.
“I think we played well but my boys just lost concentration when it mattered most.
"You know this is my first game in charge and we are still trying to get things right with the boys. It's sad to have lost that way, but we will keep fighting and pushing,” Mansur Abdullahi said after the game.
Three minutes after conceding the goal, Efe Yarhere was sent off for a high-footed challenge which the referee considered as dangerous play.
All through the game, the away side, Warri Wolves, managed just one shot on target.
Match details
Abia Warriors: John Shuaibu, Chizoba Amaefule, Valentine Nwabili, Chima Ndukwu (87'), Emma Olowo, Austin Obaroakpo, Chinonye Agoha, Michael Olaha, James Nicholas (65'), Shedrack Asiegbu (81'), Stanley Okoro
Subs: John Gaadi, Chukwuemeka Nwabalogu, Mohammed Garuba, Binaebi Johnson (81'), Ifeanyi Onyeali (87'), Godwin Effiong, Eric Obinna Nwimo (65')
Warri Wolves: Dele Ajiboye, Efe Yarhere, Joe Eyimofe, Solomon Okpako, Liadi Semiu, Uche Ossai, Monday Osagie (60'), Ewenike Achibi, Sikiru Alimi (71'), Eleje Obinna (84'), John Odumegwu
Subs: Eriose Tega, Akpojevwewu Bright (60'), Kelvin Itoya (71'), Efe Ifeta (84'), Udeh Zinte, Uzezi Oghenovo, Emariojake Lucky
Cautions: Sikiru Alimi (Warri Wolves 32'), Uche Ossai (Warri Wolves 41')
Expulsion: Efe Yarhere (Warri Wolves 53')
Match Stats Abia Warriors 1-0 Warri Wolves Attempts: 14-1 On Target: 7-1 Fouls: 5-23 Offsides: 2-7 Corners: 7-2
credit: npfl.ng