BY MFON PATRICK
Akwa United’s hope of winning the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) crown this season received a major boost on match-day 31 after they picked a valuable point in Jos following a goalless draw with 2017 champions Plateau United on Sunday.
The draw in Jos means that Akwa United have taken four points from a possible six against Plateau United this season, having won the first leg 1-0 in Uyo.
Coach Kennedy Boboye’s team went into the game in Jos with high hopes and gave a good account of themselves against a hard-fighting Plateau United side in what was a classic NPFL showdown.
Coach Boboye opted for a 4-2-3-1 tactical formation with midfielders Marshall Johnson and Ubong Essien playing in front of the back-four, while the trio of Samuel Amadi, Adam Yakubu, and Ubong Friday played behind the lone striker Ikechukwu Nwani.
Both teams showed class and matched each other toe-to-toe and created lots of good scoring chances but couldn’t find the breakthrough.
Despite losing defender Sampson Gbadebo to injury midway into the first half, the Promise Keepers were solid at the back as Etboy Akpan, Charles Okafor, Wilson Elu, and David Philip provided the needed cover for goalkeeper Adewale Adeyinka.
Midfielders Marshall Johnson and Ubong Essien were on top of their game as they frustrated every plan of their hosts in the middle.
The smooth transition of play from the defense to the midfield saw Ubong Friday, Adam Yakubu and Samuel Amadi flourishing, with some brilliant touches.
Akwa United’s best scoring opportunities in the game went the way of Ubong Friday, Ikechukwu Nwani, Samuel Amadi, Adam Yakubu, and Abubarka Aliyu, however, they were unable to bury their chances.
Goalkeeper Adewale Adeyinka put up a spectacular performance and made some eye-catching saves to deny Plateau United and in the process announced himself as the safest hands between the sticks in the league with 15 clean sheets in 25 matches.
With seven matches left to be played before the end of the season, the Promise Keepers have recorded 15 victories, 12 draws with just four loses in 31 league games, and boast of a healthy goal difference of +20.
The two-time Federation Cup Champions have so far accumulated 57 points and are two points clear of second-placed Kano Pillars.
Akwa United now turns their attention to their Aiteo Cup game against NNL side Gateway FC slated for Wednesday at the FIFA Goal Project pitch in Abuja before returning home to face Enyimba International on match-day 32 of this campaign on Sunday.
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