AKWA UNITED 1-0 GOMBE UNITED
Match Report
By Sanu Akingbola
An early second half goal was all Akwa United needed to beat Gombe United at the Uyo Township stadium on Sunday.
The home side by far outplayed the Northeast club, but were guilty of throwing away several chances. Ubong Ekpai was the main culprit.
Nobody has really come up with an explanation for Ekpai’s lack of goals in over 15 matches. Interestingly, the forward’s last goal for Patrick Udoh’s side came against Maurice Cooreman’s team in a week 20 fixture last season, where Akwa beat the Gombe side 3-2, with Mfon Udoh scoring Akwa’s other goals.
Given the fact that Gombe United lost all their away matches last season, a draw would have been taken as a very good result in Gombe. So, the visitors were not favored to get a result in Uyo.
And, with a relatively poor pre-season, which left the Uyo fans doubting the quality of Udoh’s side, there was need to produce something spectacular to win
back the hearts of frustrated fans. To some extent, they succeeded.
The hosts hit the back of the net after 10 minutes through John Aguda, but it was disallowed for offside.
Moments later, Ekpai was presented with a one-on-one chance with goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim. His tame effort was cleared, but somehow the ball flew to Utibe Archibong, who passed across the face of goal to Idara Friday, only for the new signing to miscue his eight-yard volley.
On the half-hour mark, Suleiman Usman was put through on goal. The forward could only flash a shot across the face of goal.
Three minutes later, Sani Mohammed wasted a chance from a similar position.
In the closing stages of the half, Akwa twice came close to going into the lead- the first through Ekpai’s looping shot, which narrowly missed Agbim’s upright, before Friday fired straight at Agbim from inside the box.
Between the two Akwa attempts, Hassan Hussaini drilled a shot wide of Olufemi Kayode’s far post.
On resumption, Akwa increased their threat. Gombe United seemed not to be moved as they sat back to receive Akwa. But that proved a bad thing to do as Kenedy Obiakor was forced to handle the ball, leaving the
referee with no choice. Namso Edo sent Agbim the wrong way.
Before the hand ball incident, Obiokor nearly turned in Archibong’s cut-back and captain Ini Akpan’s flying header narrowly missed the top right corner.
There were chants of “South African basket” directed at Nigeria international Agbim, apparently reminding the goalkeeper of his howlers at this year’s CHAN, as the former Wolves safe hands walked across the pitch to meet a physio. That happened just before Edo’s spot kick. Agbim, however, did not show any signs of the chants getting in the way of his concentration.
Ekpai’s several misses were unforgiveable, but no one would deny that he made some impact. His runs down the right flank caused Gombe United problems. Mid way into the second half, the 20-year old burst into the Gombe box, leaving him with the option of making an attempt or passing across the face of goal to either of the onrushing blue shirts. The winger took the former option, but it was too weak to trouble Agbim.
On 80 minutes, Ekpai was again in the thick of the action as he rounded off Agbim, only for his attempt to be deflected wide. And, in added time, the Uyo-born forward, saw another effort deflected for a corner.
Moments earlier, Kayode produced a stunning save to deny Haruna Babalo, who tried to turn in captain Inyang Asuquo’s free-kick. That was the visitors’ first shot on target, but it was agonisingly close. It could have ended their misery on the road..
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