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By Amaechi Agbo

Ahead of the 2022/2023 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL season slated to commence next month, clubs participating in the league have continued preparations with firnedly matches.

On Friday, playing at the newly built 18, 000 capacity Eket Stadium in Akw Ibom State, former NPFL champions, Akwa United defeated visiting Nigeria National League, NNL side, Heartland FC of Owerri 1-0.

Effiong Moses raced down the right side of the pitch and sent a one-time cross into the box for Ubong Friday who latched onto the ball first-time and slammed it into the back of the net for the only goal.

Despite dominant display in the second half, the Promise Keepers could not increase the tally as the visitors kept them at bare

Meanwhile on Thursday, reigning NPFL champions, Rivers United recorded similar scoreline as they triumphed over 2022 NNL Champions and NPFL returnees, Bendel Insurance in another friendly in Port Harcourt.

Paul Acquah scored the all-important goal that secured the win for the CAF Confederation Cup campaigners in a friendly, showing great technique to head home Ebube Duru’s left-wing cross.

The winning margin perhaps should have been different, on a day Rivers United did had to show patience, after dominating possession and coming close to scoring more but eventually had to rely on Ghanaian import Seidu Mutawakilu whose 85th minute penalty save ensured it ended 1-0

The Pride of Rivers will face Bayelsa United away in another friendly game later today.

The match is scheduled to hold at the Samson Siasia Stadium at 4pm on Friday 23rd December 2022.

The Nigeria Professional Football League season earlier scheduled to kickoff on December 28 this year, will now begin on January 8, 2023. However, draws for the new season will hold on Wednesday next week