Nigeria Professional Football League side, Akwa United of Uyo were held to a goalless draw by National League club, Unicem Rovers, in a mid-season friendly on Tuesday afternoon at the U. J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar.
The thrilling encounter saw both teams contend each other in a midfield battle early on.
The Promise Keepers however took control of the game midway into the first half and nearly went in front in the 28th minute, but Ubong Friday’s well taken freekick bounced off the crossbar.
Victor Mbaoma and Barnabas Imenger Jr. also came close to giving their team the lead, but their efforts were successfully defended by Rovers’ backline as both teams went into the break on level terms.
Rovers increased the tempo of the game in the second half and almost took the lead following a brilliant play, but goalkeeper Emmanuel Iwu pulled off two fantastic saves to deny the home side.
Akwa United created two clear cut chances to go in front but failed to capitalise on both occasions. Boniface Mathew’s low shot narrowly missed the target and Paul Obata spooned his effort from a promising position, as both teams settled for a goalless draw.
Akwa United who used the match to intensify their preparations for the resumption of the second stanza of the 2017-18 NPFL, will face Nnewi United in another friendly on Sunday, at the training pitch of the Godswill Akpabio international stadium.
