Following back-to-back home wins against Abia Warriors and Enugu Rangers, Akwa United will look to build on their good home form and will be expecting to record a third successive victory in Eket when they square up against Bayelsa United on Sunday 25, February 2024.
The Promise Keepers, 16th on the log have the same number of points – 21, as 18th placed Bayelsa United but stay above their opponents courtesy of goal difference after 20 rounds of matches. Akwa United threw away their lead three times in the first installment of this fixture to suffer a 5-3 defeat to their hosts in Yenagoa in what was their first defeat of the season.
The 2021 champions are bound to be confident of recording victory on Sunday following a run of five wins and five draws in ten home matches so far this season coupled with the arrival of some quality players during the mid-season transfer window.
Caretaker coach Umar Abdullahi in an exclusive interview with the club’s official website www.akwaunitedfc.com revealed that his team had banished the memories of their 1-0 defeat to Enugu Rangers and that they are focusing on getting the job done on Sunday which he said will help improve the team’s standing on the table.
“The most important thing for us in this second round is to ensure we don’t drop points again, especially at home. We have to make the best use of the chances that will come our way.
“We are at the wrong half of the table and that is not good enough. We have to approach all our matches with a positive mental attitude. We have done a lot in training this week and we trust that the boys will take that form into the match proper on Sunday.
“Victory on Sunday will be a big boost and a great motivation for us because we have a point to prove between now and the end of the season. We continue to call for maximum support from our fans and supporters as we look forward to a good outing on Sunday”.
In the seven previous meetings between the two teams, both sides have recorded three wins apiece while one match ended in stalemate. Bayelsa United are winless in all their previous visits to Akwa Ibom State.
The matchday 21 clash is scheduled to kickoff at four O’clock in the afternoon and there will be live updates of the game on all Akwa United social media platforms.
