Akwa United recorded their sixth victory of the 2023-24 Nigeria Premier Football League season with an emphatic 3-1 win over reigning champions Enyimba International on their return to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
David Philip opened the scoring for his side with a lovely finish tapping home at the back post seven minutes into the game. David Philip was also on the score sheet when Enyimba defeated Akwa United 3-2 in Aba on matchday 3.
The Promise Keepers who began the game in 19th position on the log maintained their lead and went into the half-time break In front.
Five minutes into the second half mid-season signing Sani Suleiman received a perfect pass from Ubong Friday and calmly beat goalkeeper Ojo Olorunleke to doubled his team’s advantage with a cool finish with his second goal in two matches.
Enyimba pulled one back from the spot after referee Fawole Olawale adjuded that goalkeeper Jean Efala had brought down Mbaoma in the box. The bulky striker picked himself up and reduced the deficit for the visitors.
Deep into the stoppage time, Sani Suleiman completed his brace when he raced down the left side of the pitch to control a long ball. He took his time to twist and turn his marker inside out before skillfully placing his curling effort into the bottom-left corner of Enyimba’s goal to secure a comfortable win for coach Umar Abdullahi’s side.
With the win, Akwa United move to 17th position on the log with 24 points from 23 games comprising 6 wins, 6 draws with ten loses played so far this season.
Caretaker coach Umar Abdullahi congratulated his players for their fighting spirit and thanked the fans for their wonderful support to the team.
“I’m really proud of our performance in today’s game. Our recent results have not been encouraging so we needed to get back to winning ways and the boys responded in a wonderful way.
“The atmosphere was perfect and the support was massive in today’s game and I’m very happy that we got all three points which is definitely a big step forward for us. We have been playing well but find it difficult to get the desired results. With this victory, we hope to build on it going forward in the remaining matches of the season.
“I want to use this opportunity to thank all our fans and supporters for their wonderful support to us and we want to assure everyone that we will continue to do our best to ensure we get positive results in both home and away games”.
Akwa United will next travel to Ibadan to face Shooting Stars Sport Club on matchday 24.
