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Thursday, January 19, 2023

NPFL: Akwa United hold Enyimba; Abia Warriors, Dakkada record victories as Rangers, Wikki fail again

Four out of the 10 matches slated for the NPFL midweek fixtures were decided on Wednesday, with three away wins and a draw.

• January 18, 2023
Akwa United
Akwa United

Actions continued in the ongoing 2022/23 season of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) as some matchday two fixtures were decided in various venues across the country.

Four out of the 10 matches slated for the NPFL midweek fixtures were decided on Wednesday, in which three away wins and a draw that produced seven combined goals were recorded.

In Group A’s only game in matches that were played today, Akwa United edged eight-time champions Enyimba to a goalless draw at the Enyimba International Stadium to record their first point of the season. 

A consolation for the Akwa Ibom-based team following their shocking 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Bendel Insurance in the opening of the league, while the draw took Enyimba’s points tally to four.

The People’s Elephant picked up a massive 2-1 victory against Nasarawa United in Jos in the gameweek one of the season over the weekend.

Meanwhile, in Group B, Abia Warriors continued with their impressive start to the season after recording an emphatic 3-1 victory over Bayelsa United to make it two wins in two matches.

Henry Udezuka opened the scoring for Abia Warriors in the 16th minute of the encounter at the Umuahia Township Stadium. Bello Lukman scored his second goal of the season to extend the hosts lead in the 62nd minute.

In the final minute of the game, Bayelsa United pulled on back but it wasn’t long before Henry Udezuka netted his brace of the night to seal the victory for the Warriors.

Lobi Stars earned its first win of the season following a 1-0 victory over Enugu Rangers International at the New Jos Township Stadium, Plateau state.

Joseph Atule scored the only goal in the final minutes of the game to steal the win for Lobi and relieve the Benue state-based team of its 2-1 away defeat to reigning champions, Rivers United in their opening game of the season.

On the other hand, the defeat condemned Rangers to their second consecutive defeat of the season. The Flying Antelopes were beaten 2-0 at home by Abia Warriors in their opening fixture as they currently sit bottom of the group.

Finally at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Akwa Ibom, Dakkada pulled off a stunning comeback to beat Wikki Tourists 2-1 as their impressive start to the season continued.

Ismailia Maiyaki, who was a used substitute in the opening day 2-0 home loss to Niger Tornadoes, scored the fastest goal so far this season when he found the net barely two minutes into the match to put Wikki upfront.

Exactly on the half hour time mark, Kufre Ebong restored parity for the home side before Aniekan Ekpe scored in the final quarter of the match to complete the scintillating comeback for Dakkada as Umar Danlami’s men extend their season’s point tally to four.

Following today’s defeat Wikki Tourists join Enugu Rangers as the only teams yet to record any points in the group thus far.

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