NPFL: AKWA UNITED ENDS NIGER TORNADOES UNBEATEN RUN

LOKOJA, Kogi, Nigeria – Goals from Deni Nya and Victor Mbaoma in each half gave Akwa United a 1-2 victory while Nosiru Afees Babatunde reduced the goal deficit late in the first half of the highly soaked encounter in Lokoja in the Nigeria Professional Football League match day 4 of the 2017/18 season.

The action packed encounter between the last years Aiteo cup finalist as much expected was full of action from start to finish. Erasmus Onu made two changes following Solomon Owello and Mustapha Aliko due to injury sustained in their last game against Wikki Tourist last Sunday in Jos with Suleiman Abbani and Olufemi Oladapo coming in.

Akwa United grabbed their first away win in the Nigeria Professional Football League as two goals in each half separated the heated encounter.

It took 27 minutes for the first clear sight of goal though and
Ibrahim Babawo easily beat Kelly Kester easily on the edge and find Uche Owusonnanya whose shot almost hit the roof of the bar. Akwa United took control of the game ten minute to the half the hour mark and it paid off, Adeshina Gata tried to beat Sunday Akinmoladun on the byline to the left, the defender body checked and the centre referee made no mistake to point to the penalty spot, Denis Nya easily send Terka Melai to the wrong side of the post.

The ikon Allah boys quickly shrugged the goal deficit and responded with some string of passes from their backline which gave the Minna based team free-kick right inside when Ojo Olorunleke mistakenly held a back pass in the 43 minutes of the highly soaked encounter.

Uche Owusonnanya bend it above the wall, as Etim Mathew clearance went straight into the leg of Afees Nosiru, who hammered in a powerful low shot which leveled up the goal tally to 1-1.

The host continues to infuse pressure on the visitor’s backline as Suleiman Sani Abbani’s cross was importantly blocked by Kodjovi Dadzie before Erick Frimpong slide straight into the hand of Ojo Olorunleke on the firing line.

But Akwa United then went down in 69 minute in the other end and hit Niger Tornadoes with a sucker punch. Godspower Iguda fed Victor Mbaoma from 20 yard but he struck the woodwork.

At the other end, Ibrahim Babawo fed Bahsir Usman who came in for Erick Frimpong on the edge of the box, but his half-volley crept inches wide off the far post. Akwa United smelt blood and so nearly put the game to bed following a corner kick. Terka Melai punches Victor Mbaoma’s header straight, but the former Remo stars comfortably head past the former Lobi Stars goalie to make it 1-2 for the visitors.

The home crowd were fired up and Ifeanyi Okoye came off the bench for Uche Owusonnanya who nearly grabbed a late leveller, but he headed narrowly wide of Ojo Olorunleke’s right post, before the Akwa United stopper pounced on the ball in the box moments later after a second goalmouth scramble.

The visitors took the game to their domain. Ibrahim had the chance to put the game beyond any doubt in injury time, but he dragged his shot wide as the Akwa united held on for another important win.

THE LINE-UPS NIGER TORNADOES
Terka Melai, Sunday Akinmoladun,Andrew Evans Ikefe,Reuben
Ogbonannya,Olufemi Oladapo,Ibrahim Babawo, Moh’d Sani Abbani(Ifeanyi Okoye),Nosiru Afees Babatunde (49),Uche Owusonnanya, Erick Frimpong.

Sub not Used
Abdulkadir Zango,Segun Alebiosu, Peter Momoh

TEAM LINE-UPS AKWA UNITED
Olurunleke Ojo,Etim Mathew,Kodjovi Dadzie, Kelly Kester, Denis (23) Nya,Adeshina Gata(Friday Ubong),Olisema Cyril(Christian Pyagbara), Victor Mbaoma (72), Godspower Iguda, Micheal Ibe, Aniekeme Asuquo

Sub not used
Emmanuel Iwu,Aminu Nuhu,Gabriel Wassa,Ubong Idio,Amaechi Orji.