Ahead of the Oriental Derby, Abia Warriors Technical Adviser Imama Amapakabo has vowed to guide his team to victory at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu on Sunday. Abia Warriors will be seeking maximum points against their arch-rivals Rangers, in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Amapakabo, who won the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title with Rangers in 2016, is well familiar with the opposing team, but he insists that friendships will be put aside come Sunday. “We have identified areas that need improvement and we’ve been working diligently to rectify them. With that effort, we aim to bring home the three points we so desperately need,” Amapakabo expressed during a press conference at the club’s media meeting.
The 54-year-old coach has a remarkable record in Nigerian football, having served as an assistant coach for the Super Eagles and guiding Abia Warriors to a league title previously. Amapakabo emphasized that he approaches each game with a singular mindset of claiming the points up for grabs. “I strive for victory in every encounter. With the three points I lost at home this season, I’m hungry to recover them somewhere in the near future,” the tactician noted.
It is clear that Amapakabo has his heart and focus squarely set on steering his new charge Abia Warriors towards a positive outcome this Sunday. Will his steely determination be enough to silence the home crowd or will Rangers find a way to disrupt Abia’s momentum? The answer, and a crucial three points, will be revealed this Sunday in Enugu as these two bitter rivals engage in a pulsating Derby clash.