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Abia Warriors on Sunday at the Umuahia township stadium, returned to winning ways, recording a 2-1 victory over Akwa United in one of the Matchday Twenty-Two (22) fixtures of the NPFL., Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report

The Umuahia Warlords who came all out against the Promise keepers, left no one in doubt on their readiness to carry the day.

The Promise keepers stormed the city of Umuahia on mission to make up for the team poor result against Warri Wolves on Matchday (21).

Abia Warriors interim head Coach Willy Udube effected slight changes to the team that played against Kastina United on Matchday (21).

The Imo state born tactician handed Anthony Okemmiri and Paul Samson a place in the starting Xi while Captain Austin Obaroakpo replaced Cameroonian Jean Parfait who is serving his one match ban for Five (5) yellow cards accumulation.

Akwa United gaffer Kennedy Boboye kept faith with the Starting Xi which were paraded on Matchday (21) against Warri Wolves.

The keenly contested game kicked off at exactly 4pm and the game was played under closed doors as directed by the League Management Company.

The Umuahia Warlords dominated the first 10mins of the game with the help of Fatai Abdullahi and Shedrack Asiegbu who were alive to their duties in the midfield.

Abia Warriors Okon Otop came close on the 11min to draw the first blood but his scissors kick right inside the  box 18 of the visitors went wide.

Abia Warriors mainted its ceaseless pressure in the opponents half and their effort resulted to a penalty at the 17min as Akwa United Goalkeeper hacked down Innocent Gabriel who connected brilliantly with Anthony Okemmiri tailored up through pass.

Abia Warriors midfield maestro Asiegbu Shedrack stepped foward for the spot kick bue unfortunately failed to beat Goalkeeper Eadaf but still reacted quickly to score as the goalkeeper parried the ball to his side.

The Opponents gradually found their rythm and forced Abia Warriors Goalkeeper Godsgift Elkanah  to a wonderful save to mark the team first shot on target.

Abia Warriors nearly gave out a cheap goal to the opponents with just 5mins left for the half time break as Fernando played a quick one on Austin Obaroakpo to steal the ball from the Skipper leg but Orok failed to be clinical in his attempt on goal.

Double quick attempt it was for the Promise keepers as Dare Ojo unexpectedly unleashed a shot just at the edge of the box,  but his effort missed the goal mouth by whiskers.

The Visitors dominated proceedings as the both team returned for the second half and it was Fernando who dashed right inside the team box but Austin Obaroakpo thwarted his plan to get the ball bounce for a Corner kick.

The Promise keeper levelled up with just 11min of play remaining, as Center back Gbadebo connected very well with Maurice set piece from the edge of the box.

Abia Warriors center back Adeleke Adekunle almost got his name on the score sheet but his header went over the cross bar.

Abia Warriors newly introduced Emmanuel Ugwuka who came in for Yakub Hammed in a like for like substitution sent the home team into wild jubilation as he clinical finished Anthony Okemmiri precise  pass .

Ndifreke Effiong nearly drew level with just 2mins left to end proceedings but Abia Warriors goalkeeper, Elkanah Godsgift parried his trade mark freekick over the cross bar.

It was all a ding dong affair afterwards till the center Referee blew his whistle to end proceedings.

The Umuahia outfit with the win ended Akwa United record over Abia Warriors as the promise keepers are yet to lose at away against Abia Warriors over three seasons.