Abia Warriors’ top scorer Obioma laments CAFCC’s lost hopes after defeat by Kun Khalifat.

Emeka Obioma, the leading scorer for Abia Warriors, has expressed disappointment over the club’s missed chance to finish in the top three of the league table on the final day—a position that would have secured them a spot in the 2026/2027 CAF Confederation Cup, according to Completesports.com.

Obioma has scored 11 goals so far this season.

Obioma Reflects on Abia Warriors’ Top‑Three Collapse

For much of the campaign, Abia Warriors hovered between third and fourth place, keeping hopes alive for a top‑three finish.

Those hopes were dashed on Sunday in Aba after a 0‑2 loss to visiting Kun Khalifat FC.

Also Read: NPFL: Abia Warriors Suspend Amapakabo, Orji As Shorunmu Takes Interim Charge

Following the defeat, the Warriors have fallen to seventh in the standings with 55 points as they head into the final match of the season.

Obioma Describes Kun Khalifat Defeat as a Painful Blow

Obioma called the result “unfortunate” and said the team lost its grip at the “wrong time” of the campaign.

“It’s very unfortunate, very painful, I must say,” he said. “We held strongly to our dream throughout the season but sadly lost grip at the wrong time. That’s how cruel football can be at times. We never saw that defeat against Kun Khalifat coming. And that was the major blow we suffered—a disappointment, one must say.”

“It’s not as if we were outplayed. It wasn’t as if we didn’t get our chances to score. It just turned out to be a bad day for us in the office.”

Coaching Shake‑Up After CAF Hopes Fade

After the loss and the lost opportunity for a top‑three finish, Abia Warriors’ management, led by Coach Sam John Obuh, imposed an indefinite suspension on Head Coach Imama Amapakabo and his assistant, Bethel Orji.

Also Read: Obioma Targets Second NPFL Top Scorer Award With Abia Warriors

Former Super Eagles and Besiktas goalkeeper Ike Anubi Shorunmu has been appointed as the club’s interim manager for the remainder of the season.

Abia Warriors will travel to face Warri Wolves in their final match of the 2025/2026 NPFL season—a Matchday 38 fixture scheduled for Ozoro on Sunday, 24 May 2026.

By Sab Osuji