Former Super Eagles goalkeeper and current Abia Warriors goalkeepers’ coach, Ike Shorunmu, has explained why the club failed to secure a top-three finish in the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, despite spending much of the campaign in third and fourth positions. The Umuahia-based side ultimately ended the season in seventh place with 55 points, missing out on a coveted CAF Confederation Cup ticket for the 2026/2027 season. Shorunmu, who took interim charge after head coach Imama Amapakabo and assistant Bethel Orji were suspended, attributed the collapse to overconfidence, poor attitude, and a lack of attacking strength.
Abia Warriors’ hopes of qualifying for continental competition were severely dented in the final stretch of the season. The team suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Kun Khalifat, followed by a humiliating 4-0 loss to Warri Wolves, and another away defeat to Remo Stars. These results triggered internal disciplinary actions, with the club hierarchy suspending Amapakabo and Orji indefinitely. Shorunmu stepped in to lead the team for their final match of the season, a game that could not reverse their fading fortunes.
In an interview with Completesports.com, Shorunmu stated clearly that overconfidence played a major role in the team’s downfall. “The team became overconfident, hence the collapse,” he said. “The team felt that the ticket (top-three spot) had already been achieved. Now, see where we are.” He emphasized that the players’ mindset shifted prematurely, leading to a drop in performance when the pressure intensified.
Beyond overconfidence, Shorunmu pointed to deeper issues within the squad. He highlighted attitude problems among players and a lack of firepower in attack as key weaknesses. “We also had attitude issues among the players and lacked enough firepower in attack,” he added. These factors, he noted, contributed significantly to the team’s inability to maintain consistency during crucial matches.
Despite the disappointment, Shorunmu remains optimistic about the club’s future. He believes the painful experience will serve as a foundation for rebuilding in the upcoming NPFL season. “But we’ve learnt our lessons, though the hard way. These factors will form the backbone of our rebuilding process in the coming season,” he concluded. The lessons from this season are expected to shape Abia Warriors’ approach as they aim to return to contention for continental qualification in the 2026/2027 campaign.
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