Players of struggling NPFL side, Abia Warriors have spoken out on their concern over the decision of the state government to sweep out the management board of the club in the recent shake-up that also affected other government departments and ministries.
The embittered Abia Warriors players have appealed that the decision be reversed forth with especially as it affects the club.
“Our position in the NPFL table is not the best. At this stage of the season, we need all hands on deck to ensure we crossed the red line,” offers one of the players who preferred to be anonymous for fear of victimisation.
He added: “Removing the leadership of the club at this stage will do more harm than good. The leadership of the club should be retained until after the current season”.
Abia Warriors are in race against relegation for the first time since joining the Nigeria Professional Football League in 2014.
But the recent executive order by the Abia State governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu to distband the club’s management team led by chairman Emeka Inyama is seen as one capable of derailing their survival efforts in the NPFL.
“Sports, particularly football, is different from other aspects of governance,”another player added.
“We are making headway in our efforts to remain in the Premiership. And removing the board with just four matches to go will do the club more harm than good,” he stressed.
Abia State government on Saturday announced the dissolution of all government owned departments, boards and parastatals, including those of Abia Warriors FC and Enyimba FC, Aba.
Abia Warriors Sunday bagged an away win in an oriental derby, 4-2 against Heartland.
The Warriors produced an amazing performance to subdue their hosts, winning their fourth oriental derby of the season, thus, making a good leap in the bid to successfully secure their NPFL status.
On matchday-seven, Abia Warriors triumphed 2-1 at FC Ifeanyi Ubah.
In the reverse fixture – a matchday-18 clash at Umuahia, the hosts won convincingly 3-0, and followed it up with a 4-2 win at Heartland in matchday 19, having equally won 1-0 at home on matchday-seven.
After the the big win in Okigwe, Ekeh Udenkwo, a vociferous member of the Abia Warriors’ supporters club, cried out, pleading with Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to rescind the decision of sacking the board of the club.
“We won 3-0 against FC Ifeanyi Ubah. Today (Sunday), we won 4-2 at Heartland. Our chances of retaining our Premier League position is now brighter,” Udenkwo said.
“But if the board is sacked, the club would look like sheep without shepherd. So governor should please rescind his decision as it affects Abia Warriors management.”
