Akwa Utd hit purple patch in NPFL, cruise past Abia Warriors 3-1 News

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Akwa Utd hit purple patch in NPFL, cruise past Abia Warriors 3-1

By Daily Sports on February 25, 2017

Akwa United are enjoying their best spell in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) this season after cruising past Abia Warriors 3-1 on Saturday.

The win stretched their run without a defeat to three games on the back of a 2-1 success over league leaders Plateau United and a scoreless draw at Gombe United last Sunday.

Alhassan ‘Muazzam’ Ibrahim was the star of Akwa United’s 3-1 triumph over Abia Warriors whose head coach Okey Emordi quit his post during the week following a string of poor results.

The former Wikki Tourists man scored twice and then turned provider for Moses Ebiye to score their third goal.

Akwa United head coach Abdu Maikaba put out a very attacking side with Alhassan, Musa Newman, Ubong Friday and Ebiye all in the starting list, while Christian Pyagbara could only manage a place among the substitutes.

Chinedu Efugh, Paul Onobi, Ndifreke Effiong and the free-scoring Sunday Adetunji were named by Abia Warriors head coach Abdullahi Biffo, as they hoped they could replicate last season's feat when they won 2-1 inside the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

It took Akwa United only 11 minutes to open the scoring. Alhassan curled the ball into the top corner beyond Abia Warriors goalkeeper Agbor Ekoi from Newman’s pass.

Twelve minutes to the break, Adetunji drew Abia Warriors level from a rebound after Emmanuel Iwu in the Akwa United goal failed to hold on to Moses Omoduemuke’s shot.

The Promise Keepers would have the last laugh of the half when Alhassan got his second of the afternoon as Abia Warriors trailed for the second time.

Ebiye, who assisted Alhassan for his second goal, turned goalscorer with the former Wikki man returning the favour just eight minutes into the restart to put the game beyond Abia Warriors.

The 3-1 success helped Akwa United leap from 15th position to sixth on the NPFL standings with 13 points from 10 games, with other matchday 10 games set to take place on Sunday.

In the southwest derby, also held on Saturday, Remo Stars got their first away point in the NPFL after a 1-1 draw at 3SC.

Sunday Faleye put 3SC in front with a beauty of a goal on 36 minutes and that was enough for the Ibadan club to take the lead into the break.

Five minutes into the second half, Oche Salefu thought he had scored after 3SC goalkeeper Adamu Abubakar ran into his own defender to allow the Remo Stars midfielder to score into an unguard post but referee Joseph Ogabor ruled out for a foul with television replays showing that Salefu had no contact with Adamu.

On 53 minutes, Remo Stars were not to be denied their equalizer. Victor Mbaoma ran into 3SC's six yard box and side-footed Ewelike Edozie's low cross through the legs of the 3SC goalkeeper to make the score 1-1.

Fatai Amoo’s men then pegged back Remo Stars for the remainder of the game, and not even Faleye’s outstretched leg in a goalmouth melee could nestle into the net as the Sky Blue Stars claimed a famous point off their more illustrious opponents in the derby.

Both clubs still remain in the bottom. The NPFL continues on Sunday with seven matches, including Sunshine Stars versus Rivers United. (© supersport.com)

•Photo shows Akwa United players.

Source Daily Sports

Posted February 26, 2017