Abia Warriors' Steady Ground: Imama Amapakabo's Quest For Stability

As the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) season reaches its midpoint, Abia Warriors are in a precarious position, sitting 12th in the table with 21 points from 17 matches.

Despite the challenges, Coach Imama Amapakabo remains optimistic about his team's prospects. In an exclusive interview with sportsboom.com, he shared his thoughts on the season so far, the impact of losing key players to international duty, and his plans for the second stanza.

The Impact of losing Sunday Megwo

Amapakabo, a former coach of the CHAN Eagles and NPFL title winner, has been at the helm of Abia Warriors since the beginning of the season. His experience and expertise have been invaluable in stabilising the team, but he acknowledges that much work still needs to be done.

"We have played a couple of games without Sunday Megwo, and we did well also," Amapakabo said, referring to the absence of his top goalscorer, who has been called up to represent the CHAN Eagles in the upcoming qualifiers. "Clubs and managers should be able to do with what they have available. Well, we wish Sunday well with the Super Eagles, and we will continue to work without him while he's away."

A focus on consistency

Abia Warriors have certainly suffered with Nmegwo's departure, but Amapakabo is optimistic that his team will adjust and find ways to score without their star striker. "We hope to work on our tactics and seek a solid round," he said, hinting at a more cohesive and organised approach in the second stanza.

When asked about his assessment of the team's performance so far, Amapakabo was candid. "I have about 25 players, and you can't expect them to gel overnight. However, we have been able to work together, although we haven't gotten to where we desire, but with time, we will."

Amapakabo's experience in the NPFL has taught him the importance of patience and perseverance. He knows that building a successful team takes time, and he is committed to working tirelessly to ensure that Abia Warriors achieve their goals. As a former league winner with neigbouring club, Enugu Rangers about nine years ago, Coach Imama is one of the most sought-after managers in the league. 

As the midseason transfer window approaches, Amapakabo was coy about his plans for reinforcements. "We can't say, but hopefully we will re-strategise ahead of the second stanza," he said, leaving room for speculation about potential new signings.

Despite the challenges that lie ahead, Amapakabo remains optimistic about Abia Warriors' prospects. With his experience, expertise, and commitment to the team, he is confident that they can achieve stability and success in the second stanza.

As the NPFL season resumes, all eyes will be on Abia Warriors to see how they fare without Nmegwo and whether Amapakabo's tactics and strategies can propel them up the table. One thing is certain, however: with Amapakabo at the helm, Abia Warriors will be a force to be reckoned with in the second stanza.

The Road ahead

The team's performance in the first stanza has been a mixed bag, with six wins, eight defeats, and three draws. While they have shown flashes of brilliance, they have also struggled with consistency, a problem that Amapakabo is determined to address.

"We need to work on our consistency," he said. "We have shown that we can beat any team in the league, but we have also shown that we can lose to any team. We need to find a way to be more consistent and to grind out results, even when we're not playing our best football."

Amapakabo's emphasis on consistency is music to the ears of Abia Warriors' fans, who have grown accustomed to seeing their team yo-yo between brilliant and mediocre performances. With Amapakabo at the helm, however, there is a sense of optimism that the team can finally achieve the stability and success that they have been craving.

As the second stanza gets underway, Abia Warriors will be looking to make a strong push up the table. With Amapakabo's guidance and the team's determination, they may just surprise a few people and make a late bid for the title.