Amapakabo demands Abia Warriors victory over unbeaten Rivers United

Abia Warriors manager Imama Amapakabo says his side must defeat Rivers United on Sunday to reduce the deficit at the top of the 2026/2027 Euromatch–NPFL table and strengthen their title credentials.

The Umuahia club will welcome Rivers United to Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, for a Matchday 8 fixture, with Amapakabo describing victory as essential to Abia Warriors’ ambitions this season.

Rivers United, runners-up in the 2025/2026 NPFL season, remain unbeaten in the current campaign. They are second on 15 points, one point behind defending champions and league leaders Rangers International.

Amapakabo believes Rivers United’s unbeaten record should provide additional motivation for his players.

“To me, it’s another three points up in the air for us to grab,” Amapakabo began. “It is not different from the other games that we’re going to play against any other team.

“Rivers United have not lost a game, and that is motivation for our players. The three points are important.

“Like I said, it’s a league season, so we need to win this game. We know that, from a possible 21 points, we have just eight from the past seven games. This is the eighth match, making it 24 points in total.

“So, we need to close the gap. The league leaders right now have opened up an eight-point gap. We need to close it to make a commanding statement in the league.”

Abia Warriors prepare a new approach

The Abia Warriors boss expects Rivers United to pose a threat through their defensive organisation and counter-attacking ability, but says his team will adopt a different tactical plan for the match.

“Of course, no two games are the same, as I always say. We’ll play to our strengths, and they, too, will want to play to theirs. Tactically, we’re going to approach the game differently.

“We’re going to look at what will work for us, and we’ll continue from there.”

Abia Warriors are also addressing the defensive problems exposed in last Sunday’s 3-1 defeat by Rangers International in Awka. Faiz Jubrim was sent off in the 81st minute, but Amapakabo said the red card was not the only issue.

“Our biggest problem in that game against Rangers wasn’t just the red card we received. Faiz Jubrim was sent off in the 81st minute. We didn’t function well defensively, and we’ve looked at that and are working on it.

“Whatever shortcomings we had in that game, I think we’re correcting them going forward.

“It’s a bit tough for us when we concede the kind of goals we’ve been conceding. I think we don’t have the kind of cover we want in transition. But we’re learning every day, and I hope we get better.”

Amapakabo said his players had moved on from the defeat and identified areas for improvement after what he felt was a positive performance.

“It’s a game that has been won and lost. We’ve been able to go through it. We’ve accepted whatever mistakes we made, and we know where we’re strong and what we need to build on.

“It’s a league season, you know, so we must learn from every mistake we make, and that was a learning curve for us.”

The former Sharks of Port Harcourt goalkeeper, who led Rangers International to the 2015/2016 NPFL title, also called on Abia Warriors supporters to remain behind the team.

“Keep believing in the team and keep the faith alive,” he said.