A TOUGH
OPENING
DAY BLOW
Smart City FC fall to a 2-0 defeat against a determined Abia Comets side on opening day of the NNL 2025/26 season at the Enyimba Stadium, Aba — but Coach Dabiri insists the road is far from over.
Match Report
It was not the start Smart City FC had hoped for as the new NNL 2025/26 season kicked off. Making the long trip to Aba, the Lagos-based side faced a sharply motivated Abia Comets FC on their home turf at the iconic Enyimba Stadium — one of the most hostile venues in the Nigerian National League — and it proved to be a difficult afternoon from the very first whistle.
Abia Comets imposed themselves on the game early, playing with the energy and hunger of a side with a clear home advantage. Their compact shape and direct approach put pressure on Smart City's backline, and it did not take long before the home side made their superiority count. Two well-taken goals — both conceded without reply — gave Abia Comets a commanding 2-0 victory that they thoroughly deserved on the day.
For Smart City, the first game of a long season exposed some of the difficulties that come with away fixtures in the NNL. The players showed moments of quality and intent, but on this occasion, Abia Comets had the better of the contest in all departments.
Head Coach Olayiwola Dabiri was measured and composed in his assessment after the final whistle. Rather than dwell on the defeat, he chose to look ahead — a sign of a coaching staff that fully understands the demands of a marathon league season. The next target: a home fixture against Inter Lagos at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.
Match Facts
Coach's Response
I am proud of my players, they should raise their heads up and focus on the next big game against Inter Lagos. This league season is like a marathon, we have loads of games to play — losing our first game of the season is not the end of the road for us.
I am grossly confident my team will get positive results both home and away in the course of the season. Our focus is to get a ticket to the NPFL, and we will do everything humanly possible to achieve that, by the grace of God.
Smart City FC's attention quickly shifted to their next fixture — a home clash against Inter Lagos FC at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos. Playing in front of the home crowd, the team will look to respond and get their first points on the board. The journey to the NPFL continues — one game at a time.
A tough but not defining result. Abia Comets were the better side on the day at a demanding away venue and deserved their victory. For Smart City FC, the lessons from this game will be valuable fuel for the rest of the campaign. With Coach Dabiri's resolve and a squad still finding its rhythm, this is a setback, not a sentence. The NNL 2025/26 season has many chapters still to be written.