NPFL: Abia Warriors call their place ‘unacceptable’ after Doma draw

Abia Warriors have issued a public apology to their supporters, admitting that their place in the Euromatch NPFL table falls short of the club's standards after a sixth straight league game without a win.

The club's latest stumble came on Sunday, a 2-2 home draw with Doma United in Matchday 12. That result leaves Imama Amapakabo's side 19th, with 11 points from 12 matches.

It has been a difficult few weeks for the Warriors, who were beaten heavily by Shooting Stars in Matchday 11, a round in which four clubs ended up sharing top spot.

What Abia Warriors told their fans

In a club statement carried by Complete Sports, the club did not hide from the run.

We offer our sincere and unreserved apology to our teeming fans and supporters.

Our current position on the league table is unacceptable for a club of our ambition and pride.

The statement acknowledged the frustration in the stands and said steps were being taken to turn the season around, before closing with an appeal to the support base.

Now more than ever, we need your continued prayers and support.

Analysis: Why the trip to Onikan makes Sunday harder

Eleven points from 12 games is a return of fewer than one point per match, and six games without a win means the slide is no longer a blip. Going public with an apology also raises the stakes for the very next result.

The fixture list does the Warriors no favours. Their next game is away to Inter Lagos, and in a league where away wins have been rare after 12 rounds, a point on the road would usually be counted as a decent day.

Inter Lagos, who travelled to Ikorodu City in Matchday 12, will be at home this time. If the statement is to mean anything to the supporters it was written for, the response has to show in Lagos, whatever the result.

Abia Warriors visit Inter Lagos at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, on Sunday 15 November at 16:00 WAT in Matchday 13.