Akwa end Plateau United’s unbeaten run ...as Kurfi celebrates draw against Lobi
Plateau United’s fairytale in the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League came to a halt yesterday when host Akwa United thumped them 2-1 in their week eight clash at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Before yesterday’s game, the Kennedy Boboye’s side maintained their unbeaten start to the season.
In the corresponding fixture last term, Akwa United silenced Plateau United 2-0 at the same venue.
Substitute Chima Ndukwu’s goal proved nothing for Plateau United as goals from Christian Pyagbara and Alhassan Ibrahim sealed victory for the Uyo outfit.
In Maiduguri, El-Kanemi Warriors pummelled Gombe United 3-0 to move to the eight position on the log, while Nasarawa United recorded their second win of the season after a 3-1 thrashing of Abia Warriors in Lafia.
Tornadoes also subdued Enyimba 1-0, while the tie between Sunshine Stars and ABS ended 2-2.
At the Aper Aku stadium in Makurdi, the tie between Lobi Stars and visiting Katsina United ended in a barren draw.
The rookies from Katsina tutored by former international, Baldwin Bazuaye held their nerves as they soaked all the pressure the home side mounted on them to earn their second away draw in a row.
Lobi Stars threw away a penalty awarded them in the first half of the match as goalkeeper John Lawrence booted the ball into the stands.
Speaking after the match, Katsina United chairman, Alhaji Aminu Balele Kurfi expressed satisfaction with his team’s goalless draw against Lobi Stars in the week 8 match.
An elated Kurfi said the draw did not come easy as he said his boys had to fight gallantry to withstand their more experienced opponents.
He also said the duration of the match which he put at 105 minutes was enough to wear out his boys but they were determined till the end.
Kurfi therefore said the result will inspire his young boys to prove to all that they are not in the league to make up the numbers but to play good football and also pick decent results.
“It was a very difficult match. Our host did everything to win but my boys remained adamant to the end. Lobi Stars were awarded a penalty but they failed to take that great opportunity and that was good for us.
“This point on the road will motivate the team to face other opponents. This is our second away draw and the boys are beginning to believe they can do it even away from home.
“We shall build on this back to back draws and see how far we can go in this first stanza,” he said.