NPFL: Ndifreke Effiong Propels Akwa United FC 2-1 Victory Against Abia Warriors

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NPFL: Ndifreke Effiong Propels Akwa United FC 2-1 Victory Against Abia Warriors

Early sixth minute goal and another in the second half by Ndifreke Effiong gave Akwa United 2-1 victory against his former team, Abia Warriors, in match day three in Uyo. The match was a home game in the 2020/ 2021 Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Saturday. Akwa United after pulling a goaless draw against city rival, Dakaada FC in Uyo and slumped 1-0 to Rangers in Enugu, went to play with a determination to record its first when Ndifreke Effiong scoring his first goal that put Akwa on the lead at the sixth minute. The tactical formation of coach Kennedy Boboye playing two defensive midfielders; Ubong Essien and Morice Chukwu failed to hold the midfield as Abia Warriors took control and got an equaliser in the 25th minute through former Dakaada FC ace defender, Harrison Ibukun. The Warriors dictated the pace of the game till the end of the first half which scores stood a 1-1 with Effiong and Ibukun as scorers The second half commenced with Boboye exiting Morice Chukwu, thus returning Essien to his natural defensive midfield. The duo of Ubong Friday and Wisdom Fernando changed the pattern of the game as both wingers mounted pressure on the defense of Abia Warriors. The wing runs of Friday and Fernando paid off in the 59 minute as the latter got a pass from Ikechukwu Nwani and bulldozed into the 18 yard box of the Warriors and fouled by goal keeper, Vincent Edafe to give Akwa a penalty that was neatly taken by Ndifreke Effiong for a 2-1 victory against the visitors. While Akwa tried to increase the tally with Ndifreke Effiong hitting the post twice. Abia Warriors almost got an equaliser at extra-time in the 91th minute when they stampeded Akwa defense and sent a short that rolled out without the keeper's notice Akwa United will face Kwara United in a mid-week matchday four scheduled in Ilorin.