Amapakabo shuns Pillars, commits to Abia Warriors for 2025/26 season

Abia Warriors’ Technical Adviser, Imama Amapakabo, has turned down a potential return to Kano Pillars after confirming he will remain with the Umuahia-based club for the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season. The decision puts an end to weeks of speculation surrounding the coach’s future, with strong rumors linking him to a move back […]

Abia Warriors’ Technical Adviser, Imama Amapakabo, has turned down a potential return to Kano Pillars after confirming he will remain with the Umuahia-based club for the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.

The decision puts an end to weeks of speculation surrounding the coach’s future, with strong rumors linking him to a move back to Pillars. However, Amapakabo has chosen to continue his project with Abia Warriors, reinforcing the club’s ambitions for the upcoming campaign.

Recent rumors had suggested Amapakabo was poised to join the Kano-based club, but Abia Warriors swiftly dismissed the reports.

The team’s Media Director, Solomon Igwe, refuted the claims, describing Pillars’ approach as nothing more than an “attempted poach.”

Amapakabo’s continued leadership provides stability for the club as they prepare for the new campaign.

“He’s with us. He didn’t join Kano Pillars as alleged,” Igwe stated. “No rancour whatsoever. It was Kano Pillars that went behind to poach. But it’s all in the past now. We move.”

Amapakabo’s decision to stay signals continuity and stability for the Umuahia side, as they ramp up preparations for the new season. The former Super Eagles assistant coach is focused on building on Abia Warriors’ recent progress and pushing the team to be top contenders in the NPFL.

With pre-season underway, Amapakabo’s wealth of experience and tactical prowess are seen as crucial as Abia Warriors set their sights on a successful campaign. Fans have responded with relief and optimism, eager to see what’s next under the respected tactician’s leadership.

In the same vein, Wikki Tourists technical adviser, Abdullahi Maikaba said he will bolster his team with quality players from the lower league.

Maikaba stated that the move will help them replicate their achievement in the 2015-16 season.

It will be recalled that Wikki Tourists earned promotion to the NPFL last season.

Wikki Tourists will be participating in the NPFL after two years absence.

“The plans won’t be different from what we did in the 2015-16 season where we I meet a team that has been promoted and I continued with the team, and added few players from the lower league,” Maikaba said.

The new season will commence on Friday 22nd, August.