Following their morale boosting victory over Go Round on Sunday at the Nest of Champions, Akwa United travel to Damaturu brimming with confidence and will be seeking to continue their dominance over Yobe Dersert Stars when they face their hosts on Thursday.
The Promise Keepers have won all their three previous meetings against Yobe Dersert Stars in all competitions. In 2017, Akwa United thrashed Yobe Stars 4-0 in the Round of 32 of the Aiteo Cup on their way to lifting the trophy for the second time two seasons ago. Last season in the NPFL, the Uyo based side beat the team from Damaturu home and away and they will be aiming to further maintain their superiority over their hosts on matchday 7.
Coach Rafael Everton stick with the same 18 players that prosecuted Matchday 6 in Uyo. The team on Tuesday morning made a short trip to Port Harcourt and flew to the nation’s capital, Abuja from where they drove six hours to Jos on Tuesday night. The Promise Keepers continued their journey on Wednesday morning to Damaturu for the crucial game scheduled to kickoff by 4pm at the August 27th Stadium on Thursday.
Yobe Dersert Stars who are 8th on the log with 6 points from four games, suffered a 2-1 defeat away to El-Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri on Matchday 6. The Promise Keepers will be expecting a positive result in Damaturu which has been a good hunting ground for them in the past and victory for United will take them to 8 points and out of the danger zone.
Akwa United have scored six goals in their opening five matches with Mfon Udoh aand Ndifreke Effiong scoring two goals each while Ubong Friday and Christohper Lolo got the teams other two goals. Coach Rafael Everton will be expecting his boys to fire from all angles to ensure they get the needed goals on Thursday.
The Two-Time Federation Cup Champions who are chasing their first away win of the season are returning to Damaturu where they won their last away game back in June last year. Akwa United have drawn one and lost one of their two away ties so far this season.