NPFL: AKWA UTD AIM TO END FIRST STANZA ON A HIGH, TARGET MAXIMUM POINTS AGAINST RANGERS
MFON PATRICK
Following the dramatic turnaround in the fortunes of Akwa United Football club since the arrival of Coach Kennedy Boboye in December 2019, Akwa United looks set to continue their impressive run this weekend when they square up against Enugu Rangers in one of NPFL Matchday 19 fixtures.
With six wins, two draws and two loses in their last ten NPFL games, the Promise Keepers are confident of taking all three points against Enugu Rangers who are in the bottom half of the table albeit with some games at hand.
Coach Boboye’s team picked a vital point in Nnewi last weekend after being held to a goalless draw by FC Ifeanyi Ubah and Rangers who suffered elimination from CAF Confederation Cup also had a similar result following a 1-1 draw against Lobi Stars in Makrudi in one of their outstanding games in midweek.
Akwa United, 6th on the log, have garnered 27 points from 18 games and will hope to welcome back top striker Akarandut Orok who has fully recovered from a minor injury he sustained in the game against Heartland FC two weeks ago.
Coach Boboye will miss the services of Vice-Captain Godspower Igudia, Left-back Kodjovi Dadzie and mid-season signing Ikechukwu Nwani who are all sidelined by injuries. But the technical crew may wish to keep faith with the bulk of the team that played in Nnewi last time out.
Sunday’s game will be the 13th meeting between the two sides in all competitions since 2012. In their 12 previous matches, Akwa United have won on three occasions, Rangers had five wins while five of those matches ended in stalemate.
Having scored 11 of the Promise keepers’ 16 goals between them, much will be expected from twin strikers Akarandut Orok and Ndifreke Effiong on Sunday as the Promise Keepers aim to end Rangers unbeaten run and hope to further move up the table as the first stanza of the season comes to an end this weekend.
