Akwa United produced a spectacular performance on Sunday to thrash Kano Pillars 3-0 on matchday 32 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium as they moved from 18th to 16th position on the log.
Forward Ubong Friday scored in each half and substitute Mubarak Said scored in stoppage time to help the Promise Keepers record their 10th win of the season.
The 2021 league champions started the game in the relegation zone but were quick to establish their authority in the game knowing that victory will move them out of the danger zone.
Ubong Friday scored from the spot to give his team the lead in the 35th minute after striker Sani Suleiman was brought down in the box by Kano Pillars goalkeeper Muhammed Galadima.
Friday completed his brace with a brilliant finish in the 59th minute after he benefitted from a goalkeeping error to jab a lose ball into an empty net for his team’s second of the game and his 8th of the season.
Akwa United extended their advantage deep in stoppage time when winger Mubarak Said tucked home a from close range after Kano Pillars backline failed to clear their lines.
In a post match press conference, Head Coach of Akwa United Muhammed Babaganaru praise his players for approaching the game with a positive mindset and maintained that the win will help the team in her quest to beat the drop.
“It’s a good thing that we have secured the victory we needed. After our away defeat to Kwara, he came back and planned on how to win this game and we thank God that it worked out the way we planned.
“We still have six more matches before the end of the season and we know the importance of those games, so we have to continue with what we are doing because the level of improvement in the team is encouraging.
“In terms of goals scoring, we have scored seven goals in two home games and we want to take our scoring form to the remaining three away games with the hope of getting positive results which we know will take us out to a safe place on the table at the end of the season “.
The win means Akwa United have 37 points from 32 games and stay 16th on the log with six matches till the end of the season.
Shortly before kickoff, striker Sani Suleiman received the Award as NPFL Best Player for the Month of March 2024. The Award which is sponsored by League Bloggers was presented by the newly elected Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Football Association Mr. Samuel Umoh
Congratulations Sani!