The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) fixture in LAFIA produced contrasting outcome for the two teams with Akwa United suffering it’s first defeat of the season while suffered Nassarawa United secured their first win of the season on Matchday 4.
The Promise Keepers would succumb to the persistent pressure from Nasarawa United in the second half after a tough battle in the first half.
Micheal Tochukwu and Silas Nwankwo were on target to ensure that Nasarawa United picked their first home win of the season against the league champions.
A fascinating first half of the encounter failed to produce a goal but plenty of talking points as both teams defended well.
It was the visitors that came close to opening the scoring on 11th minute when a half volley from distance by Seth Mayi was calmly saved by Nasarawa United goalie, Ameh.
The hosts struggled to find their feet in those opening moments of the game but would manage to get their first shot on target after 29th minute when Abdullahi’s humble pass found Tochukwu in the box but Akwa goalie Adeyinka did brilliantly to make a big save.
Nasarawa United continued their dominance afterwards and created some clear cut chances that could have put them in front but their attackers were profligate as the first 45 minutes ended in barren draw.
On resumption, the hosts pounced on Akwa United dominating possession.
Silas Nwankwo watched on as his low effort that could have put The Solid Miners in front on 49th minute rolled out of touch.
Micheal Tochukwu finally broke the deadlock with an emphatic effort to put the host in front off a clever assist by Aliyu.
The Promise Keepers responded almost immediately through Friday Ubong whose effort narrowly missed the target after connecting to a pass from Utibe on 64th minute.
Both coaches introduced fresh legs to fortify their teams as the game continued to hot up.
However, it was Nasarawa United that benefited from the substitution at 83rd minute as Silas Nwankwo rounded Akwa United goalie to double the lead with a calm finish off a sumptuous assist from Aliyu Abdullahi.
The Promise Keepers dominated the dying minutes of the proceedings as they searched for the equalizer but Nasarawa United defence stood their ground to repel them as the game ended 2 – 0 in favour of the the hosts.
Michael Tochukwu was voted the man of the match by the Journalists that covered the game in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
