By Chinedum Ohanusi
First half goals, aptly told the story of a pulsating 1-1 draw played out by Akwa United FC and Bendel Insurance FC of Benin; in their South-South derby played on Monday, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, in Uyo.
The Match, which was the very last of Day 16 fixtures of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), was pushed forward by 24 hours, to allow for the CAF Confederation Cup, Group D clash, between Nigeria’s Enyimba FC of Aba, and visiting El Zamalek SC of Egypt, to be staged at the same stadium.
And like Sunday’s continental tie, which had Enyimba FC force Zamalek SC to a nail-biting 2-2 draw; the two sides hoovering around the relegation waters of the NPFL, also settled for a point each, after a 1-1 draw that did not do either side any significant good.
Chijioke Alaekwe gave the Akwa United aka the Promise Keepers the lead in the 15th minute; only for Stanley Okorom to draw the Benin Arsenals level with a well taken goal, on the half-hour mark.
The point gained by each side, meant Insurance remained 18th, while Akwa United are 19th in the table, but the tally of both teams are up to 16 points; same as Lobi Stars of Makurdi, who are now rock-bottom of the NPFL log, with inferior goal difference of minus 8.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Babaganaru has resigned his appointment as the Head Coach of Akwa United, with immediate eddect.
The well-travelled Babaganaru joined the Promise Keepers, in the second part of last season, as replacement to an underperforming Fatai Osho, who also relinquished the job, and is now coaching a team in Benin Republic.
Babaganaru, who won two NPFL titles, while at Kano Pillars FC, and has had stints with Nasarawa United FC, Lobi Stars and Elkanemi Warriors of Maidugiri among other clubs; managed to keep Akwa United FC in the nation’s top flight last term, but has grappled with spates of poor results, this season winning just four, and drawing four of the 16 games he took charge of.
The last straw to break the camel’s back was yesterday’s 1-1 draw at home to fellow strugglers, Bendel Insurance; and his decision to stepdown, sets the tone for the management of Akwa United, 2020/21 NPFL champions, to begin the search for a new Head Coach.
