Nigeria, Nov. 10 -- The iconic Abia Derby, a fixture carved into the heart of Oriental football battles, delivered yet another chapter stamped with intensity, tactical caution, and pride on the line.

And although the goals never arrived, the spectacle inside the stadium was every bit as fierce as history promised.

Abia Warriors came flying out of the blocks in front of their home crowd, swarming the flanks for early damage and trying to unbalance Enyimba's disciplined defensive structure. But whenever the Warriors looked ready to draw blood, the People's Elephant held their ground.

The defining moment of the half saw goalkeeper Kelvin Ogunga produce a massive point-blank stop to deny Megwo, a chance many believed was destined to ripple...