A Godfrey West 54th minute strike ensured Nasarawa United Football Club came from behind to draw 1-1 with Akwa United in the match-day five of the Nigerian Professional Football League game decided at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State.
Both teams came into the game with high expectations as previous results were against their favour.
Akwa United had drawn their midweek home game against Katsina United while Nasarawa United were forced to a 1-1 draw in Lafia.
The hosts began their threat of the evening when Samson Gbadebo rose above the defence with a towering header that swept through the woodwork in the 15th minute.
Nasarawa United defence was called into action again in the 23rd minute when Manga Mohammed cleared a diagonal cross off the danger zone to the applause of the crowd at the Stadium.
28th minute later, goalkeeper, Danlami Umar, would pull a heroic save from 30-yards courtesy of Morice Chukwu’s free-kick to douse tension.
Akwa United’s persistent pressure paid off in the 45th+1 minute when the referee adjudged Godfrey West to have handled the ball in the box, pointing to the box for a penalty.
Ndifreke Effiong would convert the resultant spot kick to put Akwa United in the lead going into the half-time.
Upon resumption, Bello Abdullahi found Anas Yusuf with a great pass from the half-line but his low-drive shot flew past the bar.
In the 54th minute, workaholic attacker, Abubakar Lawal, located Godfrey West in the box with a delightful cross from the flank which the latter controlled calmly before slotting it into the net to bring score to 1-1.
Nasarawa United effected some changes with Chidi Solomon coming in for Godfrey West(63′), Hamza Owolabi replacing Abubalar Lawal(72′) , while Ujah Uloko(84′) took over from injured Moses Tsehuan.
The Lafia-based team took control of proceedings in the second half, dominating every facet of the field, but lacking in more goals.
With five minutes of added time, Nasarawa United were to increase their tally when Abdallah Mohammed released Hamza Owolabi with a long range pass, with the latter left one-on-one with the goalkeeper to beat only for him to balloon the ball over the bar.
Further attempts on goal by Nasarawa United could not change the scoreline as the referee blew the final whistle to put score at 1-1 apiece, earning Nasarawa United their first away point in the new league season.
Nasarawa United will now be hoping to pick their first victory this season when they host Delta Force FC on Sunday, 1st December, 2019, at the Lafia City Stadium.
