Umuahia takes centrestage

BY OJEIKERE AIKHOJE

 

Umuahia takes centrestage

Umuahia, the Abia State capital takes centrestage on Saturday, March 8 2014, when the first-ever top flight match in Nigeria will be decided at the Township Stadium. 


ojekaikhoje.blogspot.com writes about the historic event for Abia Warriors, which has crawled from the amateur cadre to the topmost level of football in Nigeria.

Unlike Umuahia, the commercial nerve centre of the state, Aba, is well known as the base of one of Africa’s elite club, Enyimba.

With two Caf Champions League titles by Enyimba, Aba is already a football destination.

At any rate, Umuahia is well known as the capital of Abia State.

And for those who don’t know, the National War Museum is also located in Umuahia.

Interestingly, the match between Warriors and Kaduna United enters the history books as the first match in the 2013/14 Glo Premier League.

Warriors’ promotion simply means that top sides like Warri Wolves, Kano Pillars, Enugu Rangers, Lobi Stars and Sunshine Stars will visit Umuahia with some of the best players in the land.

Imagine the spectacle during the first-ever Abia derby in the Premier League.

Add live broadcast of the match by Africa’s premier sports channel, SuperSport, then you’ll understand what football has brought to Umuahia.

 

Twist of Fate

Call it a twist of fate and you won’t be wrong.

Akure was to be the venue of the first match, but the fixtures were changed because Enyimba traveled to Mali for a continental engagement.

Attention later moved to Enugu, where the famous Rangers to expected to play Nembe City, on Friday.

However, the match didn’t hold due to the decision of the League Management Company (LMC) to expel Nembe City from the league for failing to meet the minimum registration requirement.

As a result, Umuahia gets the honour as the first match venue of the 2013/14 season.

 

Business

The immediate benefit of is that local business will receive a boost from the presence of Premier League football in Umuahia.

ojeksaikhoje.blogspot.com learnt that hotel proprietors are already positioning their brands as the town begins to receive the big teams.

Fact is Umuahia will not be the same again as football teams, referees, administrators and fans begin the “pilgrimage” whenever there is a home match.

 

Umuahia Township Stadium

The fact that the Umuahia Township Stadium was approved by the LMC to host Premier League matches has created excitement amongst fans of the club.

At a time when most state governments (owners of football stadia) are embracing artificial turf, it’s good to note that the Umuahia Township Stadium has increased the number of natural grass turfs in the league.

 

The Gaffer

Experienced gaffer, Ladan Bosso also enters the history books as the first man to lead the club to a Premier League contest.

“I’m excited with what is at the club and ready for the league. The club chairman, Emeka Inyama, is an expert in club management,” Bosso said to ojeksaikhoje.blogspot.com.  

 

Club Profile

Name: Abia Warriors

Former Name: NEPA FC, OUK FC

Chairman: Emeka Inyama

Former Chairmen: Basil Udeogu, Jude Ezechukwu, Ifeanyi Iboko, Ejikeme Ikwunze

Former Players: Bright Esieme, Andrew Abalogu

Coach: Isa Ladan Bosso