Rangers Halt Abia Warriors’ Winning Streak with 2-0 Defeat at The Cathedral

Abia Warriors’ winning streak came to a halt at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu as two-headed goals in the first half gave Rangers International Football Club all the three points in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League fixture.

The hosts went in front inside the quarter of an hour as Chidozie Iwundu headed the Flying Antelopes in front from a corner-kick.

The Warriors were unlucky not to draw level as Suraj Lawal’s shot was blocked almost on the goal line by the Rangers’ defence.

The Enugu-based side extended their lead in the 33rd minute as former Warriors’ frontman, Godwin Obaje, reacted the quickest to head home a good delivery from the left flank.

He refused to celebrate the goal.

Chindi Merpring was introduced for Shedrack Asiegbu as the second half got underway, and the Warriors dominated proceedings, forcing the hosts to defend for most parts.

The visitors came close to reducing the deficit in the 48th minute when Casmir Azubike’s shot off a half-cleared freekick rattled the crossbar with the goalkeeper beaten and the follow-up shot by Emeka Obioma was saved by the goalkeeper, Lucky Abdullahi.

Two minutes later, Suraj went on a marauding run, dazzled the opponents as he dribbled past three players before teeing up Merpring, whose shot went agonizingly wide.

In the 63rd minute, Merpring connected with Casmir’s delivery, but his headed effort went wide yet again.

At this point, the Warriors were very much on the ascendency and the hosts rarely had any form of attack.

After a good spell of possession by the Warriors, Obioma received a pass from Fatal Abdullahi, and masterfully evaded his marker, drove to the opponents’ goal area and unleashed a shot that forced a save from Lucky Abdullahi.

With the Warriors having the upper hand, the hosts, resorted to some time wasting tactics and desperate defending and eventually saw the game through.

Up next for Abia Warriors is a date with El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri at the Umuahia Township Stadium on Sunday, October 12, 2025.

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