Akwa Come Back Throws Dolphins Off Balance

Despite taking the lead in the 22nd minute of the encounter, Dolphins eventually lost 2-1 to Akwa United in Uyo on Sunday in the Nigeria Professional Football League.

Emem Eduok was tormentor in chief as he kept the Akwa defence busy all through and blitzed past an immobile Namso Edo almost every time he had the ball

As early as
the 6th minute Dolphins cold have scored when in one of his trademarks runs down the left, Eduok went past Edo and chipped the onrushing goalkeeper, Olufemi Kayode.

Eduok beat the keeper but the crossbar returned the ball to the feet of Omo Johnson who volleyed the ball to the cross bar again and the ball ricocheted to the feet of Isiaka Olawale who took time to pick his spot but by the time he tried his volley, Kayode had recovered to parry for a corner which was wasted.

A few minutes later, Eduok zoomed past Edo again, chipped the keeper but the ball went off the upright and scores remained 0-0.

Akwa United’s Ezekiel Bassey and Kufre Ubong won free kicks at the edge of Dolphins’ box and each time, Edo who had five league goals all from free kicks blasted wide.

The next time Emem Eduok outran Nnamso Edo was in the 22nd minute of the encounter when he was freed by Victor Alegbe and this time he wouldn’t miss as he put the ball behind onrushing Olufemi for the first of the encounter.

Akwa United continued to profit from free kicks at the edge of the Dolphins box and Edo continued to waste them, but in 4 minutes of added time given, a corner kick taken by the home side found the foot of Ebong Kufre who put the ball behind Pius Ibrahim who was in goal for Dolphins.

As soon as the second half started, Eduok could have nailed the coffin of the homers when he once again outran his markers from the center of defence but couldn’t get the ball past Olufemi KAyode.

But the center referee, A. A. Ibrahim from Kaduna state had other plans as he called a penalty when Ini Akpan just fell in the box.

After a mild protest, Namso Edo scored from the spot to make things 2-1 for the home side.

Dolphins’ defender, Chizoba Amaefule was also given a second yellow and the marching orders for good measure.

Tried as hard as they could, Dolphins could not get an equalizer, and neither could Akwa United increase the tally.

Stanley Eguma, Dolphins head coach complained about the pitch, the penalty and the red card.

“The pitch was bad and there is nothing we would have been able to do here,” Eguma said.

“We did our best but the referee gave them a penalty and they won. He also used the cards to intimidate my players but we have lost and we have to put that behind us and look at other games.”

Akwa United’s coach. Patrick Udoh agreed on the bad pitch saying it even affected his players.

“When we play away you will enjoy our game because the pitch is a factor. We also do not have a bad away record as people think,” Udoh said.

Dolphins next play at home to Nembe City on Wednesday.