Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia have signed 19 new players and retained 14 of the old ones in readiness for the 2014/15 Glo Nigeria Professional Football League which kicks off across the nation this weekend.
The new entrants include experienced campaigners like Valentine Nwabile who moved from Niger Tornadoes of Minna, Uchenna Keke from Akwa United of Uyo, Bolaji Shakin, and Ivorien import, Dosso Achassan from Dolphins of Port Harcourt as well as ex-Rangers International of Enugu twin brothers Joshua and Moses Odo.
Former Enyimba International of Aba star, Josiah Maduabuchi, moved from Warri Wolves to join the Warriors who also grabbed Taraba United’s left-footer, Ali Buhari. Ogu Michael and big goalkeeper, Chinedu Ude (Iroko), have also joined Abia Warriors from sister Club, Heartland of Owerri, along with former Bayelsa United duo, Binebi Johnson and Sheriff Bashir.
Some local rivals also lost their players to Abia Warriors. They include, a non-league outfit based in Umuahia, New Generation, which sold Shedrack Asiegbu and Michael Olaha to the Premier League outfit, while another home side, Abia Comets, lost Emeke Joseph to the Warriors.
National League side, MFM Lagos, supplied Atu Irumekhai to the Warriors who also signed Husseini Ahmen from Mighty Royals FC and Osita Egbo from Magic International Academy.
The old players who were retained include Captain Austine Obaroakpo and his central defence partner, Nnaemeka Anyanwu, as well as experienced defenders Ogbonnaya Okemiri and Mohammed Garba.
Others are goalkeepers, Joseph Onuoha, Nnanna Michael, John Gaadi and Chinedu Anozie as well as free-kick specialist, Ndifreke Effiong and the club’s second highest goal scorer last season Chisom Chikatara.
Roving midfielder, Ifeanyi Onyeali and Okorie Torty also made the cut, alongside Nigeria U-23 team star, Michael Ibe Okoro and Chukwuemeka Nwabalogu.
