ABIA Warriors stumbled for the first time this season in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) when they suffered a 0-1 defeat to Warri Wolves on Thursday.
The Umuahia club had gone 10 games unbeaten until former Nigeria under-17 winger King Osanga scored the goal that ended that run.
Wolves gaffer Ard Sluis gave starts to the former FC Taraba centre-back duo of Kelvin Njoku and Obinna Nwokolo, who were the tallest pairing in the heart of defence in the Nigerian top-flight last term.
Interestingly, Abia Warriors head coach Kennedy Boboye put out a defensive-looking side with the attacking trio of Chisom Chikatara, Bolaji Sakin and former under-17 star Stanley Okoro all starting from the bench.
Twenty-three seconds into the game, Wolves should have scored but Efe Yarhere instead smashed the ball straight at Chinedu Anozie in Abia Warriors' goal.
It was a performance of the goalkeepers. Wolves stopper Dele Ajiboye was forced into a double save midway into the first half.
Just before the break, Anozie saved a Wolves' spot kick from Uzezi Oghenewo as it appeared Abia Warriors would keep their unbeaten streak running.
Two minutes after Boboye decided to send on Chikatara in place of Kabiru Ayinde, Wolves scored the goal that turned out to be the winner. On 53 minutes, Osanga met Solomon Okpako's sweetly delivered pass to score past Anozie.
Shedrack Asiegbu and Okoro were thrown into the fray to replace Essien Joseph and Godwin Effiong respectively by the Warriors trainer. Though the latter produced a glimpse of his mazy runs as an under-17, it proved too insufficient to knock off Wolves from their perch.
Despite the loss, Abia Warriors remain in second place with 20 points, one behind table-topping Enugu Rangers while Wolves move into the top-half and with four points less.
Match details
Warri Wolves: Dele Ajiboye, Goodluck Onamado, Kayode Olowoyo, Solomon Okpako, Obinna Nwokolo (75'), Kelvin Njoku, Efe Yarhere, Achibi Ewenike (70'), John Odumegwu, King Osanga, Uzezi Oghenewo
Substitutes: Tejiri Rhiogbere, Uche Ossai (70'), Michael Egbeta, Semiu Liadi (75'), Michael Okoyoh, Omonefe Okiki, Joseph Eyimofe
Abia Warriors: Chinedu Anozie, Ozor Chinedu, Nelson Onyekachi, Emmanuel Olowo, Austin Obaroakpo, Kabiru Ayinde (51'), Anthony Okemmiri, Ndifreke Effiong, Michael Olaha, Essien Joseph (55'), Godwin Effiong (71')
Substitutes: Obumneme Ihebueme, Tare Oke, Chukwuemeka Nwabalogu, Shedrack Asiegbu (55'), Stanley 0koro (71'), Bolaji Sakin, Chisom Chikatara (51')
Man of the match: Osanga King (Warri Wolves)
Cautions: Obinna Nwokolo (2), Kelvin Njoku (77), Uche Ossai (90+)
Attendance: 1,823
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