Imama Amapakabo is still in search for a first win as Abia Warriors boss after Fortune Omoniwari scored for the second straight game to help Rivers United to all three points at the Enyimba Stadium on Saturday.

Omoniwari who also scored the winner in the 1-0 win over Rangers, scored the only goal of the encounter in the 20th minute to condemn Abia Warriors to a second straight defeat in the 2020-21 Nigeria Professional Football League season.

Victory moves Stanley Eguma’s side, who were reduced to ten men for the second game running after Nelson Esor received a second yellow card, top of the log temporarily, ahead of other matchday 2 fixtures on Sunday.

Abia Warriors, who have now failed to score in their opening two games of the season drop to the foot of the log, having played a game more than other teams.

It is a far cry from the start envisaged by Abia Warriors when former Super Eagles assistant boss Amapakabo was unveiled as head coach in the off season and they now find themselves playing catch up in the early stages of the season. 

They came close to an equaliser in the second half but found the crossbar in their way with Paul Samson striking the woodwork in the 51st minute and goalkeeper Abiodun Akande tipping Adeleke Adekunle’s goalbound header unto the upright in the 89th minute.

A desperate search for a leveller failed to yield any fruits as Warriors eventually ran out of time with Rivers United holding firm for the win and consecutive clean sheets as they get set to host South African side Bloemfontein Celtic in the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup, first round tie.