Blessed Stars Football Academy graduate Israel Joseph could make his CAF Confederation Cup debut on Sunday, September 21, when Abia Warriors FC host Djoliba Athletic Club of Mali in the preliminary round first-leg match at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo. Kick-off is 4pm.
Israel Joseph, who started his career at the high-flying Blessed Stars Academy, later joined FC ONE Rocket[1] before being spotted by Coach Imama Amapakabo of Abia Warriors. Now, he is part of the squad for the club’s first-ever appearance in continental football.
Nicknamed “Rivaldo” by his peers, Israel Joseph was on the books of Rangers International FC in the 2024/2025 season before returning to the Rockets.
Young and talented, Israel Joseph is a versatile left-footed player who can operate as a left-back, an attacking midfielder, or on the flanks. Known for his dribbling and dangerous set-pieces, he is expected to give Coach Imama more options as the Pride of Umuahia look to make their mark in Africa.
If he gets on the pitch against Djoliba, it will his first continental appearance for Abia Warriors, having made his home debut last weekend in their 1-0 Nigeria Premier Football League win over Katsina United at the Umuahia Township Stadium. With four minutes of added time signalled by the fourth official, second-half substitute Israel Joseph, making his home debut nearly doubled the lead for the Warriors in the second minute of stoppage time, but his curling effort went narrowly wide.
As Abia Warriors prepare to face Djoliba in Uyo, Israel Joseph will be stepping onto familiar turf at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. He is one of the “homeboys” players, alongside Imo Obot and Alalibo Somiari, who will help rally support for the Umuahia-based team as they play at their adopted home ground.
Meanwhile, Djoliba arrived in Uyo on Friday afternoon with a 29-man contingent, including 20 players. The Malian club, founded in 1960, are the most successful in their country with 24 league titles and 20 national cups. They have played 168 matches in CAF competitions, reaching the Confederation Cup final in 2012.
Sunday’s game is historic for Abia Warriors as they play their first-ever continental match. The return leg will take place on 28 September in Bamako, with the aggregate winners advancing to the second preliminary round in October.
Abia Warriors squad for the match:
Ali Ishaku, Emeka Obioma, Oladimeji Oluwaseun, Yakub Hammed, Sharp Uzoigwe, Paul Samson, Odah Okiemute, Maxwell Kangeshima, Taheer Abdullahi, Innocent Godwin, Augustine Njoku, Chindi Merpring, Israel Joseph, Osahon Nelson, Wilson Elu, Samuel Ogunjimi, Kunle Adeleke, Motors Oguh, Innocent Gabriel, Fatai Abdullahi, Jubrin Faiz, Suraj Lawal, Imon Obot, Sunday Megwo, Somiari Alalibo, Emmanuel Ogbuagu.
References
- ^ FC ONE Rocket (sportsration.com)