Abia Warriors head Coach Imama Amapakabo says the team’s 1-0 win over Rangers was “well deserved”, as they continue to move up the table.

Paul Samson, who returned after an injury spell, scored a nice curling shot from the edge of the box in the 25th minute.

The goal proved to be the match winner, but Abia Warriors laboured to see out the win with ten men after Daniel Wotlai was given his marching orders.

“Another game in the league that we have to play, fortunately I know that the game would be highly tactical and I give kudos to the boys. They were able to keep their shapes especially after the red card,” Amapakabo said.

“After the red card, we hard to reorganize and make the players keep their shape tactically and even when we went on a low line, they were still able to keep the head.

“The red card changed our game completely, I wanted to make other changes but the red card affected the plans completely.”

On how he mastermind the win over coach Salisu Yusuf, whom he worked with in the national team, Imama Amapakabo said he is familiar with how the veteran coach usually set up his team.

“Again, I’ve worked with Salisu Yusuf in the national team and clubs side, so I could guess or predict his approach.

“I could say I got lucky to get one over him today,” He concluded.