Abia Warriors coach Imama Amapakabo has called for composure as his side grapple with a growing injury crisis ahead of their Nigeria Premier Football League matchday 24 clash away to Katsina United on Sunday, with six players ruled out for the clash in North West, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Umuahia based club will be without Augustine Njoku, Yakub Hammed, Wilson Elu, Innocent Godwin and Ayodele Ezekiel, who are all sidelined with varying degrees of injury, while Israel Joseph has also been ruled out due to illness.
The absences add to the challenge for Abia Warriors, who are seeking a return to winning ways after recording just one victory in their last four league matches.
Despite the setbacks, Amapakabo expressed confidence that his team can still come away with a positive result at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, emphasising the importance of mental calmness and preparation.
“We have a very long journey to Katsina, so it’s all about staying calm,” Amapakabo said while speaking to the club’s media before the team departed Umuahia.
“We’ll travel to Katsina, rest and, like every other league game, we’ll play it and try to get something there.”
Amapakabo’s side head into the fixture having dropped points in two consecutive home games, both from winning positions, a run that has seen them slip from second to fourth place on the league table.
A 2-1 defeat to Nasarawa United was followed by a 1-1 draw with Wikki Tourists, leaving the coach facing the task of steadying his squad as they embark on back to back away fixtures against Katsina United and defending champions Remo Stars.
The injury list is expected to test the depth of Abia Warriors’ squad as they look to arrest their recent dip in form and reclaim the points dropped at home, starting with Sunday’s encounter against Katsina United.
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