Two-time Federation Cup Champions Akwa United began their quest for another FA Cup glory with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Nationwide League side Essien Ayi FC of Calabar in the round of 64 game played at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba.
Two first-half goals by captain Ubong Friday and Samuel Amadi gave Coach Ayodeji Ayeni’s team a comfortable lead in the first half, before Austin Osayande’s effort in the 52nd minute secure the Promise Keepers’ passage to round 32 of the oldest club competition in Nigeria.
Coach Ayeni named a strong squad against the lower league side and the boys put up a convincing performance and came out with a straight-forward victory.
Akwa United, champions in 2015 and 2017 ended the just concluded NPFL season in 9th place and miss out on the three available continental tickets through the league format but will definitely fancy their chances of making it to the continent through the Federation Aiteo Cup in which the winner will represent Nigeria in the CAF Confederation Cup later in the year.
