A resurgent Akwa United battled Enyimba to a 0-0 draw in Aba, a result which does not truly reflect the spectacle on the evening. The People’s Elephants beat Nasarawa United 2-1 away from home in their first game of the season while Akwa United lost 0-2 to Bendel Insurance.
Enyimba started the game in high spirits but Akwa United held on as both sides tested each other for size. With Akwa United growing more confident, Liman Ahmadu had the first shot of the game in the 5th minute but his effort was blocked.
Enyimba came close to getting an opener in the 12th minute when Imoh Obot’s cross met Nwaiwu in the box but the midfielder failed to jab the ball past Efala. Akwa United responded immediately as veteran, Ndifreke Effiong found his way across a myriad of blue shirts and finds Onyekachi Nwaiwu whose cross met Liman but the forward’s shot on goal went wide.
Akwa United took over the game and surged forward in search of an opener and came close in the 26th minute but Solomon Chigozie nodded a freekick over the bar after Obot fouled the lively Liman Ahmadu.
Akani Elijah let a shot fly from outside the box in the 31st minute but Jean Efala saved his effort and a minute later, Chijioke Mbaoma missed a good chance after being set up by Sadiq Aboubakar. The striker had Efala to beat though from a tight angle but his shot hit the side net
James Ajako, a fans delight, let a missile fly in the 41st minute but his long range shot came off the bar after Olorunleke Ojo was beaten.
Finidi George threw in fresh bodies in the second half and stuffed the midfield, leading to Enyimba’s dominance in the second half.
Enyimba had a good chance in the 55th minute when Mbaoma beat his marker and sent in a cross which was cleared by Akwa United and kept in play by Enyimba. Obot beat his markers on the left and sent in a glorious cross but Ekwutoziam did not cover himself in glory after getting the cross which he shot over the bar with no one to beat.
Enyimba piled more pressure on the Akwa United defense and kept Efala on his toes. The Cameroon goalkeeper pulled off a fantastic 66th minute save from Ekwutoziam’s shot to keep the Promise Keepers in the game.
Still dominating, Enyimba had chances which fell to Mbaoma and Tijani. Kabiru Tijani’s shot in the 90th minute sent shivers down the nerves of Akwa United’s bench but his effort went inches wide Efala’s net.
Up next for both teams is a trip to Jos. Enyimba will play against Plateau United while Akwa United will play against Nasarawa United.