Abia Warriors’ push for continental qualification has been thrown into uncertainty after a bold mid-season squad overhaul was followed by a growing injury list ahead of Sunday’s derby against Rangers International.
With the Nigeria Professional Football League entering a decisive phase and the race for CAF Champions League places intensifying, the Umuahia-based club moved aggressively during the break to reshape its squad.
Club officials have made no secret of their ambition to finish in the top two, a target publicly set by president John Obuh and reflected in a flurry of transfer activity.
According to reports by Complete Sports, Abia Warriors brought in five new players as part of that strategic reset.
The headline arrival is striker Uzoma Chinonso Stephen, who joins after a spell in Lebanon with second-division side Al Nabatehi.
His signing underlines the technical team’s determination to sharpen an attack that struggled for consistency in the first half of the campaign.
Stephen is not the only reinforcement.
The club also secured the services of left winger Odunlami Yinka from 9th Planet FC, right winger Omoge Ebenezer Sogo from Aso Football Academy, Ibrahimi Idris Alonge from Adoration FC, and midfielder Ugwu Tochukwu Valentine, formerly of Solution FC.
Together, the new arrivals are expected to inject pace, width and energy into the squad as the season reaches its critical stages.
Their recruitment, however, followed a significant clear-out.
After an internal assessment of performances before the mid-season break, Abia Warriors released four players.
Among them was Taheer Abubakar, who has since joined Wikki Tourists and made an immediate impact, scoring three goals in five appearances.
Samuel Faniyi, Fred David and Victor Chukwudi were also allowed to leave as part of the restructuring.
Just as the club looked to be gathering momentum, preparations for the Eastern derby have been disrupted by fitness concerns.
On Friday, Abia Warriors confirmed that several players would be unavailable for the match at Aba Stadium.
Defender Augustine Njoku will miss the fixture, along with Yakub Hammed, Wilson Elu and Ayodele Ezekiel.
The situation has been further complicated by the absence of Innocent Godwin and Israel Joseph, who are also sidelined with injuries, though the club has not disclosed further details.
As a result, Abia Warriors approach the 25th round of the season with a squad that is both refreshed and depleted.
The challenge is heightened by recent history against Rangers International, who have won three of the last five meetings between the sides, with Abia Warriors claiming victory on two occasions.
With continental ambitions firmly in mind, Sunday’s derby now represents a crucial test of depth, resilience and adaptability.
