The victory provides a massive morale boost for the People’s Elephant, who are fighting to climb out of the relegation zone with just six games remaining in the season.
How the Match Unfolded
Chidera gave Enyimba the lead in the 60th minute with a brilliant long-range strike that beat Abia Warriors goalkeeper Oluwaseun Oladimeji. The powerful finish from outside the box lit up the stadium and sent the home fans into wild celebrations.
Abia Warriors, who came into the match in much stronger league position, refused to lie down. In the 86th minute, Chukwuemeka Obioma leveled the score at 1-1 with a close-range finish — his 10th goal of the season.
With the game heading toward a share of the spoils and Enyimba staring at a damaging draw, Chidera stepped up once more. The young forward grabbed his second goal of the afternoon in the dying minutes, securing a dramatic 2-1 victory and all three points for Emmanuel Deutsch’s side.
Crucial Three Points in the Relegation Battle
Before this match, Enyimba sat precariously near the bottom of the NPFL table (around 16th/17th position with 36-37 points after 31-32 matches). The three points from the derby are vital as they look to create breathing space from the drop zone.
Abia Warriors, who entered the fixture higher up the table (around 5th place with approximately 49-50 points), will be disappointed to drop points in the local derby despite a spirited late fightback.
Hero of the Day
Michael Chidera’s clinical finishing and composure under pressure made all the difference. His brace not only decided the fierce Abia Derby but also injected fresh hope into Enyimba’s survival campaign.
The win keeps alive the dreams of the multiple-time Nigerian champions as they battle to avoid relegation for the first time in recent history.
Enyimba will now look to build on this momentum in their remaining six fixtures, while Abia Warriors will aim to bounce back quickly and protect their strong mid-table standing.
What a way to win a derby! Fans of the People’s Elephant will be hoping this result marks the turning point in their season.