- as Alhassan scores his 6th goal of the season
A goal in the 74th minutes by midfielder Alhassan Ibrahim help Akwa United FC secure a 1-1 draw against ten man FC Ifeanyi Ubah of Nnewi on a matchday 15 encounter of the NPFL at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Sunday.
FC Ifeanyi Ubah took the lead in the third minutes of the game after a goalkeeping blunder by Akwa United’s goalkeeper Olufemi Kayode who could not save Seka Pascal’s weak shot going through his legs and into the back of the net.
After going behind so early in the match, Coach Abdu Maikaba’s boys put up a brave performance, dominating their opponents and creating lots of goal scoring chances but Alhassan Ibrahim, Ubong Friday, Christian Pyagbara, Moses Ebiye, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi and Aremu Afeez attempts at goal were either missed or denied by the visitor’s defense, as the first half ended in favour of the Anambra Warriors.
The Promise Keepers began the second half with the same intensity they finished the first. Coach Maikaba made tactical substitutions which saw Musa Newman and Cyril Olisema replacing Ubong Friday and Christian Pyagbara in the last 28th minutes of play.
The introduction of the two players had an instant impact in the 74th minutes when a well link up play in the midfield resulted in Newman setting up Alhassan to score the much needed equaliser much to the relive of the home fans.
It was the midfielder’s 6th goal of the season. Motivated by the goal, the Promise Keepers pushed for the winning goal in the 87th minutes before Olisema was brought down by Wilson Elu just outside the box.
The defender was sent off for a second bookable offense but despite the numerical disadvantage, the Anambra Warriors held on and secured their first away point this season.
The result was Akwa United third draw at home this season, and it was the first time that FC Ifeanyi Ubah had scored a goal against their host in Uyo.
The Promise Keepers have now slipped to 9th position on the log with 20 points from 15 matches.
Coach Maikaba’s team will next face Lobi Stars on Thursday in Makurdi.