The jury remains out on Akwa United and their disciplinary record but on Wednesday evening, they made light of a one-man deficit to thrash Ikorodu United 3-0 in a rescheduled NPFL fixture in Uyo.
Emeka Isaac received Akwa United’s third red card of the season just before half time with the team being 1-0 ahead but any hope of an Ikorodu United revival was squashed when Harrison Ibukun fired home from the spot in the 51st minute. Ubong Ekpai scorer of the first goal then turned provider for the third, releasing Cyril Olisema to score against his former club.
Ubong Ekpai was back in the team following his sending off in Kano and he was the tormentor in chief for the home side firing them ahead with just 10 minutes played. Seconds earlier, the visitors had brought down last weekend’s two-goal hero Ubong Friday in the area but the referee waved on. Isaac retrieved the ball in the middle and released full-back Chilekwu Chigozie. The left-back sent in an inch-perfect cross into the area that Ekpai gleefully nodded home.
But the visitors attempted an instant response. Abdullahi Fatai with a strike from just outside the box but it failed to test Olufemi Kayode in the Akwa United goal. Fatai had a chance minutes later but yet again it lacked the venom to trouble the home defence.
Ikorodu United kept making the efforts taking advantage of some sloppiness by the Akwa United defenders and with three minutes left to play in the first half, Akwa United’s slack defence saw them get reduced to ten men. Ifegwu Ojukwu was sent through but Isaac brought him down. He was the last man and the tackle was a reckless one and the referee promptly gave him his marching orders.
Inspired by the first half’s closing events, Ikorodu United came out stronger in the second period looking to draw level but Maurice Cooreman’s half time substitution, Emmanuel Ariwa slotted in purposefully, aiding in limiting the visitors’ forays.
However, the real cushion came in the 51st minute when Moshood Kabir upended Ubong Friday in the area and the referee gave a penalty. Defender Harrison Ibukun stepped and fired into the top corner, beating Bello Jimmy, who had flung himself the opposite direction.
The game ended as a contest when the third came 10 minutes later. Defender Ottobong Effiong sent a cross into the area that Ekpai nodded onto the path of Cyril Olisema who nodded past Bello.
The visitors sought a consolation but closest they came was a 75th minute strike by substitute Agbane Candy but Kayode stood firm, beating the goal-bound strike away. Fatai also had a late chance but like he had done all evening, his strike lacked the power to beat the Akwa United goalkeeper.
Match Details
Akwa United: Kayode, Ottobong, Chilekwu, Isaac, Igudia, Ibukun, Awakan, Olisema, Ubong, Ibe, Ubong
Subs: Akpan, Edo, Ekpe, Ini, Ariwa, Otorogu, Jang
Ikorodu United: Bello, Rafiu, Ejebare, Fatai, Kabir, Nnedum, Akinbo, Nwaiwu, Ebeye, Ojukwu, Harrison
Subs: Adamu, Mbah, Balogun Kabir, Agbane, Azu, Ebiye, Okosi
Stats
Attempts 14-10
Shots on target 7-4
Fouls Committed 17-13
Corner Kicks 2-5
Offsides 5-2
Yellow 2-0
Red 1-0
