Akwa United has taken its pound of flesh by defeating Kwara United 3-1 in the remaining fixture of Match Day 15 of the 2022/23 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) at the Nest of Champions, Uyo yesterday.
The Uyo-based club who had lost the first leg 2-1 in Ilorin made a positive start to the game with good attacking moves while creating several goal-scoring chances.
In the 19th minute, Taiye Muritala converted one of the chances to open the scoring with a ferocious strike into the top left corner to put Akwa United in front.
Not relenting, the home side doubled the lead in the 27th minute after Cyril Olisema finished off a quick attacking play.
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And, just before the halftime break, Ubong Friday made it 3-0, and Akwa went into the break with their heads held high.
The second half saw a much-improved Kwara United, who began the second half on a strong note, and the result was quick, as Samad Kadiri pulled a goal back five minutes in.
Both teams attempted to add to the score, but there were no more goals as Akwa United held on for the important victory.
Following the victory, Akwa returned to winning ways after their previous defeat in Jos against Plateau United.
The win moves them up to second in Group A on 25 points while Kwara, who have failed to win any of their last five matches, drop to eighth, just three points above relegation.
In the other game of the day, Enugu Rangers were held to a 1-1 draw by Dakkada FC.
Rangers had taken the lead in Uyo on 13 minutes through Austin Onyemaechi.
However, the seven-time league champion’s lead lasted 10 minutes when Kufre Ebong headed home Ifeanyi Assurance’s free kick to level the score after 23 minutes.
Rangers have now gone 5 straight games without a win and they’ve taken just four points from 15 possible points in that period.
They’re currently seventh in Group B, and just 4 points above the relegation zone while Dakkada are ninth on the table with 12 points.
