Football
Akwa United put up a
scintillating performance, on Saturday, to see off Abia Warriors 3-1 as they
continue their fine form in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
A brace by Alhassan
Ibrahim in-between a Sunday Adetunji's goal in the first half for Abia Warriors
was finished off by Moses Ebiye in the second half in front of their elated
fans at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
The Promise Keepers
started like a house on fire from the first minute as Ifeanyi Ifeanyi's free
kick in the second minute found an unmarked Ebiye in the box but he directed
his header wide. The goal would not have stood if he had scored as he was
flagged offside but that was a warning to the visitors.
In the sixth minute, Akwa
United put strings of passes among themselves that led to Ottobong Effiong
finding himself in acres of space down the right but his cross was timely
intercepted by Abia Warriors gialkeeper Agbor Ekoi with Musa Newman waiting to
pounce.
The sustained pressure
from the homers paid off in the 11th minute when Akwa won possession in the
final third of their opponents' half. A one-two between Alhassan and Newman saw
the former calmly curl in an effort beyond Ekoi for the opener.
United maintained the pace
and saw lots of the ball but no clear cut opportunities were created though
Ebiye and Kodjo Dadzie had cracks from long range that did not bother Ekoi.
Alhassan also made a solo run from the centre to set up Ebiye but the latter
was offside.
The Warriors did not make
this short trip to be tourists in the beautiful edifice as they found some
momentum and took the game to their hosts. They got the first corner kick of
the game which Akwa found it difficult to clear. Moses Omoduemuke picked the
loose ball, beat his marker before firing a screamer at goal. AKwa goalkeeper
Emmanuel Iwu could not handle once spilling it for Adetunji to slot home the
rebound for the equalizer.
United increased the
pressure peppering their visitors from all angles and took the lead again in
the 44th minute from a beautiful move. Ebiye was crowded and outnumbered on the
edge of the box and he instinctively lifted the ball over them to an onrushing
Alhassan into the box and the former Wikki Tourists man finished clinically for
his brace and Akwa's second.
The first half ended 2-1
and the Promise Keepers continued from where they stopped in the second and
took the game beyond Abia Warriors. In the 51st minute, Alhassan turned
provider as he put Ebiye through on goal who neatly beat Ekoi for Akwa's third.
Abia Warriors coach,
Abdullahi Biffo made changes to salvage some pride by bringing on Uche Ossai,
Anthony Okemmiri and Obi Samson in quick succession for an unimpressive Paul
Onobi and others to get something out of the game but their poor run of results
continue as they went down to a third straight loss.
Credit:NPFL
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