Abia derby loss painful -Femi

Six-time Nigerian champions Enyimba crashed to their first home defeat in six years when city rivals, Abia Warriors stunned them on Sunday.

Abia Warriors defeated the two-time African champions 1-0 in Aba through Cletus Itodo’s super strike in the first half.

Goalkeeper Femi Thomas who was overlooked for the feisty fixture described the loss as painful but vows the club will bounce back.

“It’s difficult to swallow after losing our home record of six years especially when you lose it to your city rivals but we promise to bounce back and make our fans happy,” Femi said.

Bayelsa United were the last side to inflict a defeat on Enyimba at home in the Nigerian premier division on November 16, 2008. United won that game 2-0 in Ilorin where Enyimba were sent to play their home matches after their fans assaulted match officials during a game in the 2008/09 season.