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Mbaoma, Ibe’s goals push Akwa United over Yobe Desert Stars

By Christian Okpara
22 January 2018   |   4:15 am
Two goals in quick succession by Victor Mbaoma and Michael Ibe yesterday gave hosts, Akwa United a 2-0 victory over Yobe Stars in the Nigeria Professional Football League...

PHOTO: Sitippe Ke Akwa Ibom

Two goals in quick succession by Victor Mbaoma and Michael Ibe yesterday gave hosts, Akwa United a 2-0 victory over Yobe Stars in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Week Three encounter played at the magnificent Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.

The match started on a slow note with the teams a bit too cautious, but the tempo picked up in the 30th minute following Mbaoma’s opening goal. The Desert Stars were still trying to come to terms with their deficit when Ibe made the scores 2-0 less than four minutes after the first goal.

Thereafter, Akwa United raised the tempo in search of more goals, but a combination of poor marksmanship and desperate defending kept the scores at 2-0 in the first half.

The same pattern continued in the second half with Cyril Olisema, Mbaoma and Ubong Friday failing to convert the many chances that came their way. The game ended 2-0.

Speaking after the match, Yobe Stars Coach, Baba Ganaru blamed his team’s loss on fatigue, saying the team was jaded because they arrived in Uyo a few hours before the encounter.

He added: “I praise my boys for putting up a fantastic display even under an unfavourable condition. We had a three-day journey to get here and our boys arrived by 2.00 a.m. this morning.

“It has been difficult for us because we played in Nnewi last week, went home to play on Wednesday and hit the road immediately for Uyo.

We have had no rest in the past one week.”

The Guardian learnt that Yobe Star’ bus broke down in Owerri on Saturday and was fixed late into the night before the team continued the journey to Uyo. Akwa United will travel to Minna to play Niger Tornadoes before coming back to Uyo to host FC IfeanyUbah on Wednesday.

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