It’s Derby Day! For many years the local derby between Abia Warriors and Enyimba International FC only come alive during the annual state cup final, barring any upsets enroute the showpiece match. Until Abia Warriors sealed promotion into the elite league in 2013 and elevated a local rivalry to the national sphere.

The Umuahia-based side left no one in doubt of their resolve to lay down the marker in the first topflight Abia derby, drawing the first blood with a stunning 1-0 victory over Enyimba in Aba on their debut season. Interestingly the winner was scored by a former Enyimba player – Cletus Itodo.The reverse fixture in Umuahia ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw, with the irrepressible Chisom Chikatara scoring a last gasp goal to draw level and set the stage for an evolving derby which is now in its 12th consecutive season. In the period under review, the stats stand at –

Head-to-Head Stats

1. Matches Played: 17
2. Enyimba Wins: 11
3. Draws: 3
4. Abia Warriors Wins: 3
5. Goals Scored: Enyimba (25), Abia Warriors (16)

Top Scorers

1. Mfon Udoh (Enyimba) – 4 goals
2. Stanley Dimgba (Enyimba) – 4 goals
3. Victor Mbaoma (Enyimba) – 2 goals
4. Ndifreke Effiong (Abia Warriors) – 2 goals
5. Michael Olaha (Abia Warriors) – 2 goals

Current Goal Threats

1. Sunday Megwo (Abia Warriors) – 5 goals
2. Ifeanyi Ihemekwele (Enyimba) – 3 goals
3. Clinton Jephta (Enyimba) – 2 goals
4. Adejoh Ojonugwa (Abia Warriors) – 2 goals

Players with Previous Allegiance to Opposition

1. Fatai Abdullahi (Enyimba/Abia Warriors)
2. Kalu Nweke (Enyimba/Abia Warriors)
3. Daniel Ekpo (Abia Warriors/Enyimba)

Direct Swaps

1. Chima Uluocha (ABW to ENY) – 2014/15
2. Peter Onyekachi (ABW to ENY) – 2014/15
3. ThankGod Ike (AW to ENY) – 2015/16
4. Chima Uluocha (ENY to ABW) – 2015/16
5. Joshua Enaholo (ENY to ABW) – 2016/17
6. Samson Obi (ABW to ENY) – 2019/20
7. Abiodun Adebayo (ABW to ENY) – 2019/20
8. Fatai Abdullahi (ABW to ENY) – 2022/23
9. Adekunle Adeleke (ABW to ENY) – 2022/23
10. Daniel Ekpo (ENY to ABW) – 2024/25

In all of this, we seem to have ignored the men in the dugout. Well, this is Imama squaring against Yema. First time both men are squaring up against each other. Both men are seen as the new generation of top gaffers in the country and what a tasty encounter we have on our hands.

For fans all over the world, there is little sweeter than getting one over your neighbours. The Abia Derby is no different from all local rivalries where a contrast in size and weight of the teams on the scale count for little on the pitch. Especially when the underdog is at home and with the home fans in good voice.