Akwa United improved their Nigeria Premier Football league dominance over Remo Stars to five wins in six meetings following a 3-1 victory on Matchday 6 at the Nest of Champions.
Midfielder Cyril Olisema gave the Promise Keepers the lead in the 5th from the spot after a foul on Moses Effiong inside the box. The visitors leveled the scores through Qudus Akanni before Uche Collins put the hosts in front again in first-half stoppage time.
The game was beyond Remo Stars in the 60th minute when their defender, Segun Olalere directed Cyril Olisema’s effort into his own net as the 2021 champions secured their third win of the season to stay 4th on the log with 10 points from six games played so far this season.
Coach Ayodeji Ayeni made some changes to the team that lost to Kwara United in Ibadan on Matchday 5. Right-back Etim Mathew, midfielders Salomon Chigoziem and Moses Effiong returned to the starting eleven for the first time since Matchday 1, while Uche Collins got listed in the starting lineup for the first since joining Akwa United from Sokoto United.
The hosts made an attacking start to the game and it paid off when Moses Effiong was brought down in the box by goalkeeper Vincent Edafe. Cyril Olisema made no mistake from 12 yards to give his team the lead. Moments later, Ubong Friday hit a ferocious strike from outside the box which Edafe spilled on to the path of Uche Collins, but the striker elected to pass it to Moses Effiong but his pass was intercepted by Edafe before the chance was cleared.
Remo Stars came close to equalizing through Andy Okpe but Jean Efala was in his element to tip the ball away to deny the lanky striker. The visitors get back on level terms in the 22nd minute when Qudus Akanni fired home the equalizer.
Both teams had the opportunity to add to their tally but could not make the most of their chances, until striker Uche Collins directed Etim Mathew’s cross beyond Edafe to put his team in front in the 44th minute as they went into the half-time break with a deserved lead.
Goalkeeper Jean Efala was called into action shortly after the restart, making a superb save to deny Andy Okpe. The lanky striker who was booked in the first-half received his second yellow card in the 55th minute after an off-the-ball challenge on Boluwaji Sholumade, and was sent off by the referee.
The home team increased their advantage in the 60th minute when Segun Olalere accidentally directed Cyril Olisema’s effort into his own net.
Coach Ayeni made tactical changes introducing Taiye Muritala, Ikechukwu Nwani, Liman Ahmadu, Abbey Benson and James Arong into the game and they did well to push for more goals but were unable to add to their team’s tally.
The victory on Sunday was Akwa United’s fifth win over Remo Stars in six NPFL meetings. The Promise Keepers have now scored eight goals in six games and will next travel to Maiduguri to engage El-Kanemi Warriors on Matchday 7 this weekend.
