Good morning, People of the Blue Nation!
What. A. Game.
When they said the Abia Derby would be fiery, we didn’t expect this level of drama, tension, missed chances, and—ultimately—sweet, satisfying bragging rights for the People’s Elephant. Enyimba 2, Abia Warriors 1. That’s the headline. That’s the tweet. That’s the sermon!
From the first whistle, you could feel the tension. Abia Warriors came in chest-out, dreaming of continental football, while we came in… well, still searching for our identity this season, but with one clear mission: don’t let these boys show us pepper on our turf. And we didn’t. In fact, we turned up the heat.
It could have started sweeter if Christian Nnaji didn’t decide to politely pass the ball to Sharp Uzoigwe’s gloves instead of picking a corner. That was just five minutes in. Then things got complicated—Ani Ozoemena picked up an injury and had to be replaced by Zalli. We hoped it wasn’t an omen. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
But the Warriors struck first. A crisp cross from Sunday Megwo, and boom—Antoine “Anthony Ijoma” De Souza rose to nod the visitors ahead. 1-0. Cue their Facebook admin warming up his caption fingers. But wait!
Not so fast. We thought Atule had hit back immediately, only for the flag to go up. Offside. The Derby gods were teasing us. And Atule, frustrated, got himself a yellow card a few minutes later—dissent. Emotions boiling. Fans biting their nails. Then came the moment of magic.
Kalu Nweke, from about 25 yards out, curled in a screamer that sent Sharp Uzoigwe reaching for air and sent our fans into rapture. 1-1. Proper football goal. Proper Enyimba response.
Minutes later, Atule nearly made it two, but he must’ve mistaken the ball for yam. We forgive you, brother. You made up for it later.
The second half was all fire. Awazie missed a chance you and I would’ve buried in our sandals, but it set the tone. Elijah and Mujeeb came in to shake things up, and the team looked more alive.
Then—finally—Redemption Atule! Our flying winger took his chance beautifully, stroking the ball past Uzoigwe with the calmness of a monk and the precision of a surgeon. 2-1, Enyimba.
From there, it was about game management. Warriors pushed, but we held firm. Atule nearly got another, then went off injured. We hope it’s not too serious. Nnachi and Solomon came in to see things off. And we did.
Fulltime whistle. Jubilation. Bragging rights retained. Warriors sent home with humble pie and no continental dessert.
Now, let’s not kid ourselves. We still have a slim shot at a continental finish through the league. But with five games left in the President Federation Cup, that might be our golden ticket. Regardless, this win hurts Abia Warriors more than it helps us, and that, my friends, is the true Derby delight.
Nzọgbu! Pride of the East. Kings of Abia. Still standing.
Back tomorrow.
Enyimba Enyi!
