Akwa United Football Club suffered a 2-1 away defeat to fellow NPFL side Go Round FC in a pre-season friendly played at the training pitch of the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt on Friday afternoon.
A goal in each half by Samuel Stone and Morris Chukwu helped the home side to a narrow victory over Akwa United whose only goal of the match was scored by Brazilian midfielder Alberico Da Silva.
The match in Port Harcourt was the Promise Keepers’ fourth pre-season game and their second away from home. Coach Rafael Everton’s team have won two and lost two of their four pre-season games so far.
The Promise Keepers put up an inspiring performance in the early moments of the game and controlled proceedings but were unable to create any meaningful chance in front of goal.
The host improved their performance later in the game and surprisingly took the lead against the run of play when Samuel Stone made his way into Akwa United’s box and fired a tame effort into the bottom right corner of the net in the 32nd minute.
Coach Everton’s boys fought their way back into the game and got the reward on the stroke of half time. A swift counter attack on the right flank released Ubong Friday who delivered a delightful cross into the vital area for Alberico Da Silva to direct it into the net for his team’s equalizer as both sides went into the break on level terms.
Go Round regained the lead in the 62nd minute through Morris Chukwu whose shot took a huge deflection off defender Denis Nya and went into the net.
In an effort to get the much needed equalizer, Coach Everton made some tactical changes and introduced Ezekiel Bassey, Christopher Lolo, Emeka Atuloma, Kodjovi Dadzie, Wisdom Fernando, Chigozie Chilekwu into the game.
Akwa United’s best chances in the second half fell for Christopher Lolo, Wisdom Fernando and Chigozie Chilekwu but they failed to convert their chances as Go Round held on to a 2-1 win.
Akwa United who beat Rivers United in Uyo last weekend, will play their second game aginst the Pride of Rivers on Saturday morning before returning to Uyo in the afternoon to continue their preparations for the 2018/2019 NPFL season.
