Reigning champions of the Nigeria Profession Football League (NPFL), Akwa United suffered their worst defeat at home for more than a decade, losing 3-0 to Rangers at the Godswill Akpabio stadium, Uyo on Sunday.
Before the fixture, the Flying Antelopes were ahead of the Promise Keepers in terms of head to head, winning 8 of previous 22 fixtures, while the home side had won 5.
It was a homecoming for Coach Abdu Maikaba, who returned to a familiar terrain where he was in charge of Akwa United between 2018 and 2020.
Injury to Seth Mayi could not deter Coach Jolomi’s side from creating a pool of opportunities in the first half. However these opportunities were not effectively utilised by the trio of Adam Yakubu, Leo Ezekiel and Wisdom Fernando in the 12th, 21st and 35th minute.
Rangers regrouped for the second half with renewed intensity and got rewarded on 55 minutes when Samuel Pam stunned the home fans with a 20 yards volley to put the visitors in front.
Chidiebere Nwodo doubled Rangers’ advantage with a solo run in the 70th minute.
Three minutes into stoppage time, substitute Shedrack Nwobodo put the game beyond the Jolomi’s men with a third, when he was perfectly spotted by Ejike Uzoenyi.
An elated Abdu Maikaba told wwe.npfl.ng that the result was expected.
“We expected the result. It was a good game. I was with the team and I know most of the players. They (Akwa) failed to take their chances in the first half and got punished in the second half because we took our chances.
“We hope the result will push us some more before the end of the first round of the season”, he said.
The result pushed Akwa United down to 6th position, while Rangers moved up to 3rd on the log, eight points adrift of leaders Rivers United.
Team List:
Akwa Utd XI: Efala, Lazarus, Ajako, Ubong, Gbadebo, Okafor, Friday, Yakubu, Ezekiel, Osayande, Fernando
Rangers XI: Seidu, Nweke, Samuel, Nwobodo, Doyeni, Charles, Agu, Martins, Uche, Anthony, Ikechukewu
Match Stats:
Corners: 3-2
Shots: 6-8
On Target: 4-6
Fouls: 15-15
Yellow: 1-1
Red: 0-0
Saves: 3-4
Offsides: 2-2
