BY OJEIKERE AIKHOJE
It’s a derby day in Abia and certainly remains a day for nerves and passion where families are split down the middle and lifelong friends are fiercely divided for 90 long minutes.
Since the creation of Abia State in 1991, Enyimba has enjoyed football monopoly and its emergence as a powerhouse in Africa after back-to-back Caf Champions League conquest turned out to be the icing on the cake.
Although based in the commercial city of Aba, Enyimba has remained a team that unites the Abia people.
Abia Warriors, a younger team formed in 2003 and based in the state capital, Umuahia, has entered the big league to rub shoulders with Enyimba.
Believe it or not. The Warriors may not decimate Enyimba’s followership beyond Abia, but it will attract a sizeable support within Umuahia and its environs.
However, Sunday’s event will determine the extent of support for the young side when both teams clash in the first-ever Glo Premier League Abia Derby.
Will it be a friendly derby?
For the first time in Abia, the Blue (Enyimba) and Red (Abia Warriors) sides become pronounced.
Familiar Strangers
Both teams are not strangers considering their mild rivalry in the Abia State Federation Cup.
Enyimba may have won the 2013 Federation, but The Warriors own the bragging rights following their victory in the state final last year.
Against all expectations, Abia Warriors emerged state champions after a 1-0 victory decided at the Enyimba Stadium.
In fact, Enyimba’s supremo, Felix Anyansi Agwu was infuriated with the loss that he berated players of the team.
That episode has since become history and Enyimba faithfuls believe it’s time to confirm their superiority over their "younger brother".
If there was nothing attached to their previous meetings, the presence of both teams in the elite class simply means there is a renewed battle for the ownership of Abia.
Abia Warriors chairman, Emeka Inyama, is a former sports commissioner in the state who supervised both teams. Today, he is on the Red side.
Players Movement
It’s interesting that no fewer than seven former Enyimba players now defend the colours of the Warriors.
The list includes goalkeeper Olaniyi Fabiyi, Chidozie Johnson, Ogbonaya Okemiri, Uche Oguchi, Onyekachi Okoye, Bishop Onyeudo and Cletus Itodo.
In fact, Onyeudo, who emerged Enyimba’s top scorer last term, entered the history books as the first player to cross directly from Enyimba to Abia Warriors, in the Premier League era.
On the other hand, Enyimba’s duo of Andrew Abalogu and CHAN 2014 star, Bright Esieme, played for Abia Warriors before joining ABS, then in the top flight.
Northern Link
Both teams have something in common as their coaches are from the Northern part of the country.
Zakary Baraje has since put behind the club’s exit from the Caf Champions League to focus on domestic matters, while Abia Warriors are banking on Ladan Bosso’s experience to build a solid unit.
Challenge
Fabiyi told naijapremierleague.net that the Abia Derby was uppermost on his mind the moment he accepted the offer from the newly promoted side.
“It’s a big match by all standards and can’t wait for Sunday,” the Beninese International said to naijapremierleague.net.
Former league top scorer, Sibi Gwar, believes the presence of former Enyimba players in the opposition doesn’t count.
“Enyimba is in a better shape to beat Abia Warriors and the Federation Cup victory is history now,” Gwar told naijapremierleague.net.
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