Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia were held to a goalless draw by Sunshine Stars Football Club of Akure in a Matchday 26 encounter of the Nigeria Premier Football League played at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
It was Abia Warriors second successive home draw in the ongoing NPFL season.
Coach Bethel Oji made six changes to the side that lost to Heartland Football Club of Owerri at the Awka City Stadium earlier on Wednesday with Goalkeeper Nmecha Johnson making way for veteran goalkeeper, Femi Thomas, who was largely on holidays throughout the duration of the game.
It was his first league start of the current campaign, while Ifeanyi Anaemena, Prince Okorie, Sunday Megwo, Emmanuel Onu and Jerry Ogu replaced Collins Nwoburuoke, Kingsley Arum, suspended Antoine Desouza, Aliyu Mohammed, Paschal Nwabueze and injured Daniel Ijeh in the starting eleven.
The game started with the Warriors creating most of the chances from the midfield orchestrated by Daniel Wotlai who later won Man-of-the -match award sponsored by Divine Touch after he was selected by sports writers who covered the game while the visitors offered more of time wasting antics throughout the match to the consternation of the match officials and spectators.
Sunshine Stars had their goalkeeper, Ishola Abdulateef to thank for keeping them level in the first half, after making brilliant saves from Megwo, Anaemena, Meme and Ojonugwa’s efforts.
It was same scenario in the second half with Abdulateef keeping Sunshine Stars in the game.
Abia Warriors however, came closest to scoring when Prince Okorie ‘s header off Ojonugwa’s corner kick hit the upright with the goalkeeper transfixed.
Despite substitutions made by both sides, none broke the deadlock and the game ended goalless with the visitors clearly the happier of the two sides.
Up next for Abia Warriors is a midweek FA Cup tie against Uchecaria FC at Aba, before making a cross country trip for an NPFL fixture against Katsina United in Katsina.
