By Daily Sports on January 29, 2018

Akwa United climbed to the top of the summit of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) with a scintillating performance to put to sword struggling Kwara United, beating them 3-0 in a Matchday 5 encounter at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Sunday.

Michael Ibe opened the scoring in the 16th minute when a sweeping team move freed Friday Ubong down the right side of the opposing box and with the defence breathing down his neck, he sent a cutback to an onrushing Ibe who picked his spot to place the ball beyond the goalkeeper.

Five minutes later, the Promise Keepers doubled their lead when the opposing defence lost the ball due to pressure in their vital area and Cyril Olisema picked the loose ball to set up Victor Mbaoma with a through ball that the latter finished exquisitely over an onrushing Godwin Ayalogu.

Ubong took the game beyond the visitors in the 56th minute when he flicked Olisema’s corner kick into the near post beyond Ayalogu to score his team’s third.

It was an open encounter that started with the Harmony Boys, the visitors, sending warning signs to Akwa United. In the third minute when a good flowing team move forced Akwa goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo to produce a brave save.

Olisema got a chance in the 11th minute in the box and eventually got the ball in the net but he was rightly penalized as the ball had struck his arm before he scored.

The pace of Ubong, Mbaoma and new boy from Akwa Starlets, Aniekeme Asuquo proved too strong for the visitors as they pushed them to commit errors all through the game.

Chances were not lacking in this game. Ubong, Olisema and Mbaoma all came close but for the form of the big strong Ayalogu who made series of saves to keep the score line respectable.

The Harmony Boys could not string a good cord on the day but Michael Ohanu did test Ojo with a weak effort in the 31st minute before Anthony Wilson forced Ojo to a one-handed save from his pile driver of a free kick from about 35 yards.

Kwara United head coach, John Obuh was forced to make two forced changes in the first half when Issah Magaji and Wilson got injured and were replaced by Oseni Kazeem and Odudu Sunday and therefore left him handicapped in using his substitutes to good effect.

Abdu Maikaba’s lads did miss more scoring opportunities in the second half with Ibe the biggest culprit fluffing a good chance to get his brace. Aniekeme’s long range effort narrowly missed the target and could not get a goal for his energetic display and was later substituted to an applause from the fans.

Ojo almost gave Kwara United a consolation goal in the 87th minute when he fumbled with a good cross into the box. The ball fell to an unmarked Kazeem Oseni but his bicycle kick hit the top of the bar for a goal kick.

The win ensured Akwa United go top of the league standings ahead of their Matchday 6 fixture at FC Ifeanyiubah on Wednesday while Kwara United entertain Lobi Stars at home with another opportunity to get out of bottom place.

•Photo shows Abdu Maikaba.

Source Daily Sports

Posted January 29, 2018

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