Isaac Emeka’s83rd minute strike from the penalty spot was all that Abia Warriors needed to edge Kada City 1-0 in one of 2019 NPFL match day 4 encounter decided on Wednesday afternoon at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
It was Kada City who made the first two attempts on goal through Felix Benjamin and David Onovo in the fourth and sixth minutes respectively.
The host responded almost immediately by forcing l three consecutive corner kicks would have scored twice in the space of ten minutes through Olawoyin Ibrahim but Solomon Kantoma on both occasions made touch line blocks.
David Onovo found space and released a thunderous shot from 25 yards which came off the woodwork after Enaholo Joshua had managed a finger tip save.
Outstanding Sunday Okoh in goal for Kada City alongside Solomon Kantoma, Umar Mohammed, Papa Idris and Ekene Obi stood big at the rear to ensure a goalless first half despite Abia Warriors having a free kick at the edge of the box on two minutes of added time which was blasted wide by Fatai Abdullahi.
On resumption in the second half, the home side pressed and missed two free headers from close range, but it was David Onovo who fluffed a big chance in the 75th minute with only the goalkeeper at his mercy.
The deadlock was eventually broken in the 83rd minute when Sunday Okoh was adjudged to have fouled an Abia Warriors player in the penalty box and Isaac Emeka made no mistake as he sent Sunday Okoh the wrong way to give Abia Warriors their first victory of the season.
