By Promise Etim
Akwa United secured their second win of the campaign from nine games with a hard fought 3-2 win at home to visiting Remo Stars of Ikenne.
Before the Matchday, United were without a win since their matchday six lone goal win against Gombe United in Eket. The Promise Keepers had amassed seven points from possible 24 in eight matches.
Following a turbulent start to the campaign, Fatai Osho, knew the fixture was crucial to his team’s quest for a better end to the campaign. The former Enyimba handler restored Salomon Chigoziem to the line-up, while Akintunde Bala got the nod ahead of Rilwan Sadiq in midfield.
The visitors preferred a 4-3-3 formation, leaving Samad Kadiri on the bench, with Sikiru Alimi foisting a formidable partnership upfront alongside Abayomi Adebayo and Frank Mawuena.
Remo struck first on 15 minutes, when he latched onto a defensive gap to cleverly chip past Badmus Nurudeen.
Dare Ojo drew the home side level eight minutes, when he rose highest to head Akintunde Bala’s corner past Charles Tambe.
The 2021 champions got the advantage on 26 minutes through Uche Collins’ pile driver 20 yards out. It was the striker’s first of the campaign.
Substitute Rilwan Sadiq doubled United’s advantage in the 62nd minute, when he tapped in Bala’s cross.
Winger, Aniekeme Asuquo, pulled a goal back for the visitors when he headed Ismail Sadiq’s cross beyond Nurudeen twelve minutes from time.
Reacting to the win, Fatai Osho promised to build on the result going forward.
“The strikers came to the party today. We had to fight back to secure the win. We will work to replicate result in as many games as possible. There is still so much to play for”, Osho noted.
The result takes the Promise Keepers 17th on the log with 10 points, while Remo slips to 4th.
Akwa Utd 3-2 Remo Stars
Stats
Shots: 11-7
On Target: 7-5
Saves: 3-4
Corners: 1-4
Fouls Won: 16-16
Yellow: 2-3
Red: 0-0
Offsides: 2-4