Akuchie, Okoro Feature as Kun Khalifat Hold Abia Warriors to Goalless Draw in Aba
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Jeff Onuegbu
ABA, Abia State — Kun Khalifat FC began their 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) campaign with a valuable point after holding Abia Warriors to a 0-0 draw at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba.
The Matchday One Oriental derby, which was initially scheduled for Sunday, was completed on Monday, August 31, after a heavy downpour rendered the pitch unplayable and forced the encounter to be suspended.
Kun Khalifat went into the contest seeking a positive start to the new campaign, while Abia Warriors were equally determined to make home advantage count.
Among the players involved for Kun Khalifat were goalkeeper Obinna Akuchie and midfielder Ebuka Okoro, who featured in the starting lineup as the Owerri-based side set out to frustrate their hosts.
Akuchie eventually proved particularly important to Kun Khalifat's result, producing several saves to keep Abia Warriors from finding the breakthrough. His performance became even more crucial during the closing stages when the home side increased the pressure.
Abia Warriors head coach Imama Amapakabo handed competitive debuts to six new recruits — Kelvin Ihunwo, Osimaga Duke, Effimi Nsi, Emmanuel Nnaji, Seyi Oguntayo and Chidiebere Nnachi — as the hosts looked to begin the season on a winning note.
The first half produced few clear-cut opportunities, with Kun Khalifat maintaining a disciplined defensive shape and Abia Warriors struggling to create enough openings in the final third.
The situation changed after the interval as the hosts became more aggressive in attack.
Amapakabo introduced Innocent Godwin and Ikoi Ettah in the 73rd minute for Duke and Nnachi, while Chinedu Iwueze was brought on two minutes later for Emmanuel Nnaji.
The substitutions gave Abia Warriors greater attacking impetus, and the home side began to put sustained pressure on the visitors.
However, Kun Khalifat remained organised and continued to defend resolutely as the Warriors searched for the goal that would separate the two sides.
Abia Warriors came closest to breaking the deadlock in stoppage time when Israel Joseph produced a curling effort towards goal. Akuchie, however, reacted quickly to make an impressive save and preserve Kun Khalifat's clean sheet.
The final whistle confirmed a share of the points, leaving both teams with one point from their opening fixture of the 2026/27 NPFL season.
For Kun Khalifat, the result represents another positive outing against their Oriental rivals. The two clubs had already met during the previous campaign, including a 2-0 victory for Kun Khalifat at Abia Warriors in May 2026.
The goalless draw also extended the competitive rivalry between the two sides, with neither team able to claim bragging rights in the latest meeting.
Abia Warriors will now turn their attention to their next league assignment against newly promoted Ranchers Bees in Kaduna, where they will seek their first victory of the campaign.
Kun Khalifat, meanwhile, will take confidence from their defensive performance and the contribution of Akuchie as they continue their 2026/27 NPFL campaign.
The result underlines the competitive nature of the opening round, with both Oriental rivals forced to settle for a point after 90 minutes without a goal.
Competition: Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), 2026/27 season
Match: Abia Warriors 0-0 Kun Khalifat FC
Matchday: 1
Venue: Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, Abia State
Date completed: Monday, August 31, 2026
Initial fixture: Sunday, August 30, 2026
Reason for delay: Heavy rainfall rendered the pitch unplayable
Result: Abia Warriors 0-0 Kun Khalifat FC
Key Kun Khalifat performer: Goalkeeper Obinna Akuchie
