NPFL MD32: Kalu Nweke Eyes Victory As Enyimba Targets Derby Supremacy Over Abia Warriors

As the NPFL matchday 32 lights up this weekend, all eyes will be on Aba where the iconic Enyimba International Stadium sets the stage for yet another epic edition of the Abia Derby — a clash loaded with pride, passion, and playoff implications.

In what promises to be a thrilling and high-stakes affair, Enyimba FC welcome fierce local rivals, Abia Warriors of Umuahia, in a contest that could shape the season’s endgame for both sides. For the People’s Elephant, it’s more than just bragging rights — it’s a must-win battle to maintain continental hopes, both through the league and the Federation Cup.

And leading the charge with steely determination is midfield dynamo, Kalu Nweke, a man with unique insight into both camps.

> "I must say it's going to be a tough one," Nweke told Enyimba Media after Friday’s training session. "Abia Warriors is a team I know too well. I have played there before and they are a decent side."

Indeed, Abia Warriors have been one of the league’s surprise packages this season, churning out gritty performances and staying in touch with the upper half of the table. But for Nweke, who has emerged as one of Enyimba’s most influential players since his switch from Umuahia, sentiment has no place in Sunday’s war.

> "As you can see they are doing well this season, but that doesn't mean they are not beatable. It's a derby game and it will be tough, so I expect the fans to believe in us. I’m sure we can beat them here in Aba," he declared with a quiet confidence that reflects the spirit of the Enyimba dressing room.

This 19th edition of the derby since 2014 sees Enyimba boasting the superior record, with 11 wins, 3 losses, and 4 draws. But the past offers little guarantee in a rivalry defined by unpredictability, fierce tackles, and emotional eruptions. The last meeting ended 1-1 in Umuahia — a reminder that margins are razor-thin in these encounters.

In their last duel at the Enyimba fortress in Aba, goals from Eze Ekwutoziam and Nnachi Chidiebere were enough to secure a 2-1 win, despite a late scare from Augustine Njoku. With Ekwutoziam still sidelined since the first round, and Chidiebere just returning to form, the onus may once again fall on Nweke — whose vision and incisive passing were key in their recent cup tie win — to unlock Elkanemi Warriors’ backline.

Yet beyond tactics and history, what makes this fixture even more compelling is the urgency — both sides know that Sunday’s result could tilt the scales in the jostle for continental football.

> "All hope is not lost both in the league and the Federation Cup," Nweke said. "We still have a good chance to make it. We just have to keep pushing."

And push they must. With the Aba fans expected to pack the stands in full voice, the People’s Elephant will need every bit of their famed home advantage. Enyimba know that in the NPFL, especially in derbies of this magnitude, dominance is earned — not assumed.

Sunday’s derby is not just a match; it’s a battle for identity, ambition, and regional supremacy. For Kalu Nweke and Enyimba FC, it’s a chance to roar loudest once again in the jungle of the NPFL.