By China Acheru.
It was a lifeless evening in Uyo as hosts, Akwa United and their guests, Warri Wolves subjected fans at the fanciful Godswill Akpabio International Stadium to 90 minutes of football with no goals to show for it.
Akwa United playing on the back of a 3-0 bashing by Rangers last weekend could not find a way past a stubborn Warri Wolves defence led by Monday Osagie and Semiu Liadi.
Akwa United playing on the back of a 3-0 bashing by Rangers last weekend could not find a way past a stubborn Warri Wolves defence led by Monday Osagie and Semiu Liadi.
The home side had twenty shots at goal and nine on target but perfect goalkeeping by Dele Ajiboye of Warri Wolves ensured the away side went home with a share of the spoils.
Nine saves in the game from Ajiboye ensured he was named Man OF the Match at the end of ninety minutes.
As early as the 4th minute, Namso Edo’s free kick beat the wall but was saved easily by Ajiboye.
On the 25th minute it was Abdulafeez Awakan who dribbled from the right and shot at goal, but Ajiboye punched clear for a corner.
36th minute and Namso's free kick deflected off the wall and a wonderful turn midair ensured Ajiboye stopped the ball from going in and again two minutes before half time, Ajiboye saved again from an Ohazurike effort.
He was even busier in the second half as he saved off the feet of Ukeme Davies, Abdelafeez Awakan and Franklin Ekong
Chief coach of Akwa United, Ere Dokubo believed his players did not put enough pressure on Warri Wolves in the game.
“We wanted to win but we didn’t put enough pressure on the opponents so their defence had a field day and they could even join the attack,” Dokubo said.
“We will continue to work at it and I assure you the results will change,” Dokubo said.
Defensive Warri Wolves achieved their aim
The visitors on the other hand adopted a very defensive approach to the game ending the match with just four shots at goal and three on target, something the coach, Godwin Ogbe said was the game plan.
“We were not in a hurry to score. We came here to defend and we did it well. At least we have taken a point home for our fans,” Ogbe said.
“When you go for away games, you just have to keep the home side at bay, so we came here to defend. When you get a draw away from home in Nigeria, you are happy and we are happy with this,” Ogbe told NPFL.ng.
Akwa United
Olufemi Kayode, Namso Edo, Chigozie Chilekwu, Emeka Ohazurike, Harrison Ibukun, Godspower Igudia, Ubong Friday, Okoro Ibe, Ukeme Davies (86), Cyril Olisema, Abdulafeez Awakan (57)
Subs
Bassey Akpan, Otobong Effiong, Nicholas Joseph, Emmanuel Ariwa, Davies Ukeme, Franklin Ekong (57), Ezenwa Otorogu (86)
Warri Wolves
Dele Ajiboye, Onamado Good luck, Eyimofe Joesph, Okpako Solomon, Osagie Monday, Liadi Semiu, Okorowanta Bernard (62) Okiki Omonefe, Efe Yarhere (85), Okoyoh Michael, Ossai Uche (80)
Sub
Eriose Tege, Babatune Solomon (80), Akpojuvwewo Bright, Itoya Kelvin (62), Ojobo Markson, Osanga King (85)
Stats
Akwa United
21 Shots at goal. 4
9 shots on Target. 3
7 fouls committed 21
6 corner kicks. 5
Nil off side. 3
Nil yellow cards. 2
Nil red card. nil
Nil goals nil
Attendance: 2, 504
Olufemi Kayode, Namso Edo, Chigozie Chilekwu, Emeka Ohazurike, Harrison Ibukun, Godspower Igudia, Ubong Friday, Okoro Ibe, Ukeme Davies (86), Cyril Olisema, Abdulafeez Awakan (57)
Subs
Bassey Akpan, Otobong Effiong, Nicholas Joseph, Emmanuel Ariwa, Davies Ukeme, Franklin Ekong (57), Ezenwa Otorogu (86)
Warri Wolves
Dele Ajiboye, Onamado Good luck, Eyimofe Joesph, Okpako Solomon, Osagie Monday, Liadi Semiu, Okorowanta Bernard (62) Okiki Omonefe, Efe Yarhere (85), Okoyoh Michael, Ossai Uche (80)
Sub
Eriose Tege, Babatune Solomon (80), Akpojuvwewo Bright, Itoya Kelvin (62), Ojobo Markson, Osanga King (85)
Stats
Akwa United
21 Shots at goal. 4
9 shots on Target. 3
7 fouls committed 21
6 corner kicks. 5
Nil off side. 3
Nil yellow cards. 2
Nil red card. nil
Nil goals nil
Attendance: 2, 504
