Ndifreke Effiong nets brace as Akwa United overpower Abia Warriors 2-1
By Imaobong Koffi-Bassey
Ndifreke Effiong scores in each half to help Akwa United FC overcome visiting Abia Warriors by 2 goals to 1 in the 2020-21 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matchday three fixture played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, on Saturdday, January 9, 2021.
Coach Kennedy Boboye made two changes to the starting lineup that fell 1-0 to Enugu Rangers on Matchday two, with defensive midfielder, Morice Chukwu replacing defender Samson Gbadebo, while Ikechukwu Nwani starts ahead of Wisdom Fernando.
Tactically, Olisa Ndah moved to the centre-back to pair Charles Okafor, after playing the defensive midfield role in the first two fixtures.
The hosts took the lead six minutes after kick off through last season’s club top scorer, Ndifteke Effiong, directing a loose ball into the net.
Abia Warriors nearly equalised a minute later through former Akwa United and Dakkada FC striker, Utibe Archibong, but his final effort after a cut back was cleared to safety.
Two minutes later, Ndifreke Effiong’s attempt hits the cross bar, with goalkeeper Vincent Edafe already beaten.
Akwa United suffered a setback in the 20th minute as centre-back Olisa Ndah got injured, following an aerial battle with the opponent and was replaced by Samson Gbadebo three minutes later.
The visitors continued to press for an equaliser and got a breakthrough on the 25th minute, as defender Harrison Ibukun’s strike beats Efala and sailed into the roof of the net
Ndifreke came close to regain the lead for Akwa United just before halftime, after being put through by Ikechukwu Nwani, but was rebuffed by Warriors’ goalkeeper, Vincent Edafe
Akwa’s Coach, Kennedy Boboye made double substitution at the start of the second period, replacing Samuel Amadi and Morice Chukwu with Ubong Friday and Wisdom Fernando, respectively.
Warriors’ Coach Imama Amapakabo, also substituted Utibe Archibong for Bello Lukman, but it was Ubong Friday who made an instant impact. The former Lori FC winger, fired a long range shot which went inches wide, after being set up by Seth Mayi within few minutes of his introduction.
Three minutes before the hour mark, substitute Wisdom Fernando had a chance to give Akwa United the lead after a pass from Seth Mayi, but the former Akwa Starlets (Now Dakkada FC), got fouled, after rounding off Vincent Edafe in the penalty area earning the home side a penalty.
Ndifreke Effiong stepped up to net the resultant penalty on the 59th minute to give Akwa United the lead for the second time in the game.
Ndifreke, who was a thorn in the flesh of his former club had opportunity for an hattrick on the 75th minute, following a slip by goalkeeper Edafe, but the Nigeria international failed to convert the chance.
Coach Boboye replaced Ikechukwu Nwani with veteran forward, Akarandut Orok, while Amapakabo threw four more substitutes into the fray to push for an equaliser, but all attacking moves were resisted by the Promise Keeper’s backline.
Substitute Denis Kingsley had the opportunity to drew the visitors level in the dying minutes, but his final effort after evading his markers, crashed off the cross bar.
