Rangers International FC will look to strengthen their advantage over Abia Warriors when the two South-East rivals meet in a highly anticipated Matchday 7 clash of the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season.
Sports247 reports that Rangers head into the encounter with the confidence of a strong recent record against their Oriental rivals, having won nine of their previous 22 meetings with Abia Warriors. The Warriors have recorded eight victories, while five matches have ended in draws.
Rangers International highlighted the rivalry on their official X page ahead of Sunday’s encounter, posting a head-to-head graphic showing the 22 previous meetings between both clubs.
The post revealed that Rangers have scored 25 goals in those games and declared: “History favors us, but today we widen the gap.”
The figures underline how closely contested the fixture has been, with just one victory separating both sides in the overall head-to-head record.
Rangers will now hope to turn that narrow historical advantage into another victory when they face the Warriors at the Awka City Stadium.
The Flying Antelopes arrive for the derby after bouncing back from their 2-0 defeat to Ikorodu City with a 1-0 victory over Warri Wolves in their rescheduled Matchday 2 fixture.
The result moved Rangers to the top of the NPFL table with 13 points from six matches.
Abia Warriors, meanwhile, will enter the contest with renewed confidence following their impressive 3-0 victory over Bendel Insurance.
The result was their first home win of the season and gave them an important boost ahead of the difficult trip to face the defending champions.
The Warriors have also shown signs of improvement in recent weeks, following their heavy 4-0 defeat to Ranchers Bees with a 2-0 away victory over Sporting Lagos before the win over Bendel Insurance.
With both teams coming into the game after important victories, Sunday’s Oriental derby promises another competitive battle.
Rangers will be hoping their historical advantage continues, while Abia Warriors will be determined to upset the champions and add another victory to their side of the rivalry.
