Elu Targets Home Victory as Abia Warriors Host El-Kanemi

BY Phebe Obong
October 12, 2025
0 Comments
10 Views

Abia Warriors midfielder, Wilson Elu says the Umuahia side are determined to return to winning ways when they host El-Kanemi Warriors in Sunday’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday Eight fixture at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

Elu, who spoke to the club’s media team ahead of the game, said the team remains fully focused on securing all three points despite a tight travel schedule that saw them play two away matches in four days.

The Warriors picked up their first away victory of the season in Ilorin before losing to Enugu Rangers, but Elu said the players have moved past the defeat and are focused on responding strongly at home.

“As professionals, we wouldn’t want to make excuses for fatigue and all that. Yes, there’s a case for that, but as professionals, we are focused on the job at hand, which is to get the job done on Sunday by defeating El-Kanemi Warriors. We are prepared one hundred per cent,” he said.

The midfielder added that the squad has embraced a forward-looking mindset under their manager, emphasizing the importance of staying mentally strong through the season.

“Our gaffer inculcated in us a progressive mentality, and so, once a game is done and dusted, we move on to the next one. Our focus is on the next home game against El-Kanemi Warriors. We will not dwell on the Enugu Rangers defeat. We have put that behind us,” Elu said.

Abia Warriors currently sit fourth on the NPFL table with 12 points from seven matches, scoring five goals and conceding four. Their visitors, El-Kanemi Warriors, occupy seventh place with 11 points, having scored six and conceded six in the same number of games.

Both sides share a fierce recent rivalry, with El-Kanemi winning seven of their last 10 league meetings.

Ahead of the clash, Abia Warriors will miss Ayodele Ezekiel and Paul Samson through injury, while Nmecha Johnson and Augustine Njoku have returned to full fitness. Defender Somiari Alalibo, who missed the Rangers game due to illness, has also been cleared to play.