Enyimba’s hope of retaining the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) was dented at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, yesterday, by Akwa United, who are fighting to leave the relegation zone of the competition.
Enyimba needed a win to climb to the top of the table for the first time this season, but they were beaten 3-1 by an Akwa United team buoyed by the state government’s recent pledge to accord them maximum support.
The Uyo team raised into the lead in the seventh minute through a David Phillip strike, while Sani Suleiman added the second in the 51st minute.
Enyimba fans thought their team was on the way to redeeming itself in the 72nd minute when Chijioke Mbaoma reduced the tally from the penalty spot, but Akwa United had other ideas as Suleiman added the third and his second goal to take the fight out of the Aba boys.
With the defeat, Enyimba dropped to fifth position on the log, while Akwa United climbed to the 17th position.
In the second game of the day, Abia Warriors demystified Kano Pillars’ touted home invincibility at the Sani Abacha Stadium, beating the former champions by a lone goal.
Daniel Ngozi Ijeh gave Abia Warriors the winning goal in the 79th and try as they did, Kano Pillars failed to find the equaliser in the game that had 10 additional minutes after the regular 90 minutes.
The victory took Abia Warriors to the eight-position on the table, while Pillars dropped to fifth from third.
The other game of the day between Doma United and Sporting Lagos ended in a goalless draw in Gombe.
