MFON PATRICK
Following last week’s shock defeat to Nasarawa United in Lafia, Akwa United look set to bounce back to winning ways on Saturday when they engage Plateau United on Match-day 11 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium In Uyo.
The Promise Keepers are 7th on the log with 15 points from ten games, comprising four victories, three draws and three defeats. Coach Kennedy Boboye’s men will be aiming to continue their impressive run of form at the Nest of Champions which has seen them record three wins and two draws in their opening five home games.
The two-time Federation Cup Champions have scored in eight of their opening ten matches. In their last home game, they thrashed Katsina United 3-0 with the NPFL leading scorer Ndifreke Effiong scoring a brace.
Akwa United Head Coach, Kennedy Boboye, will be facing the team he won NPFL title with in 2017 while his opposite number, Abdu Maikaba, will be leading Plateau United against his former club that he won the Aiteo Cup with in the same year.
In the previous eight meetings between the two teams, Akwa United have won two matches, Plateau United have also won two while four of those encounters ended in stalemates. Plateau United, 15th on the NPFL table with 11 points, have lost their last two away games and are without a win in their previous four visits to Uyo.
Coach Boboye has charged his players to go all out for victory on Saturday and ensure they don’t leave any stone unturned when they square up against Plateau United.
Striker Mfon Udoh, defender Charles Okafor and goalkeeper Jean Efala have fully recovered from injuries and trained with the rest of the squad throughout the week in preparation for this weekend’s game.
Razor-sharp striker and NPFL leading scorer, Ndifreke Effiong, who has scored seven goals in ten games is expected to lead the team’s attack against Plateau United on Saturday.
The game which will be broadcast live on NPFL. TV and on Nigeria Television Authority NTA will kickoff at 4pm and will be played behind closed doors and under strict Covid-19 guidelines.