| Goals | Goals |
|---|---|
| . (25’) | |
| . (42’) |
Akwa talk tough for 3SC clash
3SC ace Adeboye (behind)
“We are in Ibadan to win, but if we get a draw, we will be okay with that,” Akwa United coach Solomon Ogbeide told MTNFootball.com
Ogbeide has recovered from an accident on his way back from Port Harcourt after his team were sensationally dumped from this year’s Federation Cup by non-league Dynamite Force of Benin City.
Akwa have done well in their first season back in the top flight as they remain in contention for the championship in fifth place on 48 points, only four points behind leaders Enugu Rangers.
However, they are up against a Shooting Stars team who have put behind them an indifferent form from the first round.
For this game, the host team will miss Gabriel Adikwu and Philip Asuquo due to the red cards they got during the ill-tempered match at Sunshine Stars recently.
Stand-in captain Shola Adeboye told MTNFootball.com that former teammate Meshack Chukwubuikem will be the biggest threat Akwa will parade in this game.
Adeboye said Meshack is a very good player who was part of them before he quit to feature in Egypt.
"I know Meshack very well, he's my very good friend when he was with us here in Ibadan but now that he is coming back we will welcome him. He's very good but our defenders are also ready because we know his worth,” said defensive midfielder Adeboye, who has played in various positions for ‘The Oluyole Warriors’ in this campaign.
"We know their position on the table, they are ahead of us, and so winning the three points is priority because if we beat them, we will be ahead of them.”
Caretaker coach Hakeem Busari said he is also aware of the class of striker Meshack having worked with him in Ibadan.
“We are not ready to take anything for granted. I know Meshack very well, likewise they have good players there but they are going to be beaten here in Ibadan. We are not ready to lose any points at home, rather Akwa will fall,” predicted Busari.
MTNFootball.com will run a live commentary of this match beginning 4pm Nigerian time.
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