Akwa United remained on top of the NPFL Group B log despite suffering a 3-0 defeat to Plateau United on Matchday 16 game in Jos on Sunday
The defeat was the Promise Keepers fourth lose of the season and they have dropped five points against Plateau United in the two-legged tie.
Goals from Jesse Akila, Bernard Ovoke and Amos Gyang secured a vital win for relegation threatened former champions in Jos but the Promise Keepers remain on top with 28 points and with superior goal difference over El-Kanemi Warriors who are also on the same points.
Defeat to El-Kanemi Warriors and FC Ifeanyi Ubah in Lafia and Damaturu ensure the Uyo based side will go into their home game against Nasarawa United this weekend as Group B leaders for Second straight week.
Coach Rafael Everton made just one change to the team that defeated Kano Pillars in Uyo last time out. Mfon Udoh made a comeback to the team after missing his side’s last two games against Gombe United and Kano Pillars due to injury, he took the place of Brazilian midfielder Alberico Da Silva who didn’t make the trip to Jos following a minor injury.
The hosts who were given an ultimatum by the management hit the ground running and should have taken the lead inside the opening two minutes when winger Bernard Ovoke sliced his shot just wide.
Few minutes later, the home side went in front through Jesse Akila who swept in a rebound after following up Oche Odoba’s free-kick. Two minutes later, the Promise Keepers had a wonderful chance to level up the scores when Aniefiok Godspower combine neatly with Mfon Udoh to locate Emmanuel Charles on the edge of the box but his weak effort was comfortably saved by Dele Ajiboye.
At the other end, Plateau United used their most offensive weapon – Daniel Itodo’s long throw-in which caused lot of trouble in the Promise Keepers’ box but Jean Efala stood his ground to deal with all the aerial threats from the long throws as the hosts went into the break with a 1-0 lead.
Akwa United were presented with an early chance to score seconds after the restart, Cyril Olisema put Wisdom Fernando through on a one-on-one with Ajiboye but the winger took too much time to take a decision only for Ajiboye to come off his line to make a save.
The hosts doubled their lead in the 58th minute when unmarked Bernard Ovoke headed in Ocheme Odoba’s cross from the left flank.
Coach Everton introduced Chigozie Chilekwu and Etboy Akpan in place of Emmanuel Charles and Etim Mathew but the duo did little to change the scoreline on a day that the Promise Keepers did not play their usual free flowing football.
Plateau United put the game beyond their visitors eleven minutes from time through Amos Gyang who benefitted from a poorly cleared corner kick to score his team’s third goal of the game.
The win move Plateau United from 11th to 9th position while Akwa United remain top of the log. The Promise Keepers will next face Nasarawa United in Uyo while Plateau United will travel to Kano for a date with Kano Pillars.
Akwa United remained on top of the NPFL Group B log despite suffering a 3-0 defeat to Plateau United on Matchday 16 game in Jos on Sunday
The defeat was the Promise Keepers fourth lose of the season and they have dropped five points against Plateau United in the two-legged tie.
Goals from Jesse Akila, Bernard Ovoke and Amos Gyang secured a vital win for relegation threatened former champions in Jos but the Promise Keepers remain on top with 28 points and with superior goal difference over El-Kanemi Warriors who are also on the same points.
Defeat to El-Kanemi Warriors and FC Ifeanyi Ubah in Lafia and Damaturu ensure the Uyo based side will go into their home game against Nasarawa United this weekend as Group B leaders for Second straight week.
Coach Rafael Everton made just one change to the team that defeated Kano Pillars in Uyo last time out. Mfon Udoh made a comeback to the team after missing his side’s last two games against Gombe United and Kano Pillars due to injury, he took the place of Brazilian midfielder Alberico Da Silva who didn’t make the trip to Jos following a minor injury.
The hosts who were given an ultimatum by the management hit the ground running and should have taken the lead inside the opening two minutes when winger Bernard Ovoke sliced his shot just wide.
Few minutes later, the home side went in front through Jesse Akila who swept in a rebound after following up Oche Odoba’s free-kick. Two minutes later, the Promise Keepers had a wonderful chance to level up the scores when Aniefiok Godspower combine neatly with Mfon Udoh to locate Emmanuel Charles on the edge of the box but his weak effort was comfortably saved by Dele Ajiboye.
At the other end, Plateau United used their most offensive weapon – Daniel Itodo’s long throw-in which caused lot of trouble in the Promise Keepers’ box but Jean Efala stood his ground to deal with all the aerial threats from the long throws as the hosts went into the break with a 1-0 lead.
Akwa United were presented with an early chance to score seconds after the restart, Cyril Olisema put Wisdom Fernando through on a one-on-one with Ajiboye but the winger took too much time to take a decision only for Ajiboye to come off his line to make a save.
The hosts doubled their lead in the 58th minute when unmarked Bernard Ovoke headed in Ocheme Odoba’s cross from the left flank.
Coach Everton introduced Chigozie Chilekwu and Etboy Akpan in place of Emmanuel Charles and Etim Mathew but the duo did little to change the scoreline on a day that the Promise Keepers did not play their usual free flowing football.
Plateau United put the game beyond their visitors eleven minutes from time through Amos Gyang who benefitted from a poorly cleared corner kick to score his team’s third goal of the game.
The win move Plateau United from 11th to 9th position while Akwa United remain top of the log. The Promise Keepers will next face Nasarawa United in Uyo while Plateau United will travel to Kano for a date with Kano Pillars.
