NPFL: ATSHIMENE, UDOH ON TARGET AS AKWA UTD WIDENS GAP ON TOP OF THE LOG

MFON PATRICK

Akwa United’s impressive run of form continued on Match-day 28 with a convincing 2-0 victory over struggling Adamawa United. The win helped the two-time Federation Cup Champions to open a four-point gap at the summit of the NPFL log.

The game which was decided at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Saturday afternoon, saw the Promise Keepers complete a double over the Yola based side as they extend their unbeaten streak in the current NPFL season to 18 matches.

Two first-half goals by strikers Charles Atshimene and Mfon Udoh were all that the Promise Keepers’ needed to secure the maximum points as they continue their march towards winning their first NPFL title.

Coach kennedy Boboye made just one change to the starting eleven that drew with Kano Pillars in Kaduna on Match-day 27. Iconic striker Mfon Udoh was preferred ahead of youngster Ubong Essien who was not part of the matchday squad.

The home team started the game brightly and created plethora of chances but were momentarily kept at bay. Adamawa United’s stiff resistance was however broken in the 25th minute when in-form striker Charles Atshimene composed himself to send his diving header over the line after Ikechukwu Nwani’s initial effort which deflected off Adamawa United’s defender was spilled by goalkeeper Friday Achimugu.

Atshimene celebrated his 10th goal of the season with the club’s Chairman Elder Paul Bassey as his team took the lead in style.

The league leaders piled on the pressure on the visitors and should have doubled their advantage after taking the lead but Mfon Udoh and Seth Mayi couldn’t direct their efforts at goal, while goalkeeper Friday Achimugu was also in his element to make some superb saves to deny the home side.

On the stroke of half-time, Mfon Udoh produced a moment of brilliance and made his way through Adamawa United’s back-line before slotting home his effort under the legs of goalkeeper Friday Achimugu to extend his team’s lead as they went into the break with a deserved lead.

The visitors had the first attempt at goal after the restart but goalkeeper Adewale Adeyinka stood his ground to make a good save. Coach Kennedy Boboye’s men dominated play and created some good scoring chances but they were however denied by the brilliance of goalkeeper Friday Achimugu.

In a tactical switch towards the end of the match, coach Boboye made use of all his five substitutions when he introduced Nasiru Jibril, Marshal Johnson, Amadi Samuel, Eko Barine and Stephen Amos to replaced Mfon Udoh, Charles Okafor, Ubong Friday, Ikechukwu Nwani and Seth Mayi.

Samuel Amadi and Eko Barine both came close but they couldn’t find a way past goalkeeper Friday Achimugu but were able to do enough as Akwa United record their 14th victory of the season.

With the win, the Promise Keepers have consolidated their position at the pinnacle of the NPFL table with 53 points from 28 games and they will next travel to Katsina to honour Match-day 29 against Katsina United this weekend.

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