As NPFL25 Matchday 32 unfolds this weekend, the spotlight beams intensely on Aba where Enyimba International Stadium gears up for a fierce edition of the Abia Derby — a contest fueled by history, hostility, and high-stakes implications.
Enyimba FC will lock horns with their age-old foes Abia Warriors in what is expected to be one of the most emotionally charged fixtures of the season. For the People’s Elephant, the match goes beyond the battle for bragging rights — it is a must-win to stay alive in the race for a continental spot via the league or the Federation Cup.
Leading the charge for the home side is midfield general Kalu Nweke, who brings both familiarity and fire to this high-profile clash, having previously donned the red of Abia Warriors.
“I must say it’s going to be a tough one,” Nweke told Enyimba Media following Friday’s final training session. “Abia Warriors is a team I know too well. I have played there before and they are a decent side.”
Abia Warriors, for their part, have defied expectations this season. With a string of gritty performances, the Umuahia-based outfit remain firmly in the top half of the table and are quietly eyeing a surprise finish that could bring continental football to Umuahia for the first time.
Still, for Nweke, sentimentality takes a back seat when it comes to derby day. “As you can see, they are doing well this season, but that doesn’t mean they are not beatable,” he said. “It’s a derby game and it will be tough, so I expect the fans to believe in us. I’m sure we can beat them here in Aba.”
This will be the 19th meeting between the two rivals since their first official NPFL clash in 2014. Enyimba have the historical upper hand with 11 wins, 4 draws, and just 3 defeats, but records often count for little when tempers flare and tackles fly in derbies of this nature.
Their most recent meeting ended in a 1-1 stalemate in Umuahia, a result that underlined how evenly matched the two sides have become. That game saw both teams miss late chances, leaving both camps with a sense of unfinished business ahead of Sunday’s rematch.
At home in Aba, Enyimba edged the Warriors 2-1 in their last encounter, thanks to goals from Eze Ekwutoziam and Nnachi Chidiebere. But with Ekwutoziam still nursing an injury and Chidiebere only recently returning to fitness, Enyimba will once again look to Nweke to provide the creative spark from midfield.
Nweke’s ability to control tempo and unlock defences was on full display in Enyimba’s recent Federation Cup win over Elkanemi Warriors, and the home fans will be hoping for a repeat performance on Sunday.
What adds further weight to this clash is the stakes: both clubs are still mathematically in contention for a top-three finish and a ticket to continental competitions. The derby could well be the turning point in deciding which side keeps that dream alive.
“All hope is not lost both in the league and the Federation Cup,” Nweke reaffirmed. “We still have a good chance to make it. We just have to keep pushing.”
And push they must, especially with the ever-passionate Aba faithful expected to fill the stadium to the rafters. The People’s Elephant will look to harness their fortress advantage, where they’ve historically been dominant under pressure.
The Enyimba dressing room knows the gravity of Sunday’s clash. It’s not just about points — it’s about pride, positioning, and proving who rules Abia. With four games left after this derby, every fixture is a final, and every point could decide their destiny.
Sunday’s match will be played at a feverish tempo, with tempers likely to flare and drama almost guaranteed. It’s a fixture that transcends football — it’s a war for regional glory and relevance on the national stage.
For Kalu Nweke and Enyimba FC, victory would not only silence their neighbours but also ignite a late charge toward silverware. For Abia Warriors, it’s a chance to rewrite the script and claim a rare triumph in hostile territory.
As the city of Aba braces for kickoff, one thing is certain: the 19th edition of the Abia Derby promises thunder, theatre, and top-tier NPFL tension.
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