Akarandut Orok scores again as Akwa Utd end Lobi Stars eight-game unbeaten run

A second-half strike from Akarandut Orok earned Akwa United a 1-0 victory against Lobi Stars at the Nest of Champions, helping the Uyo club move up to eitghth in the Nigeria Professional Football League.

As was the case in last week’s fixture with Dakkada, the former Al-hidd forward netted the winner, stabbing home a loose ball in the 52nd minute to hand the Promise Keepers their third consecutive win in the league and bring to an end Gbenga Ogunbote side’s eight-game unbeaten run.

The forward proved his importance to Akwa United by netting the only goal in the game — his third strike in three straight matches.

Boboye, who was in charge of the two-time Aiteo Cup winners for the third time since taking over from John Obuh, made two changes to the side that earned a 1-0 win against Dakkada FC — with Wilson Elu taking the place of the injured Samson Gbadebo and Morice Chukwu preferred to Dare Ojo.

His opposite number, Ogunbote, chose to bring in Chinedu Udeagha, Ezekiel Tamara and Moses Bunde to his starting XI.

The hosts dominated large spells of the game and should have won the tie by a large margin. Aniekeme Asuquo, Ndifreke Effiong and Morice Chukwu all threatened Moses Ocheje in the first half.

Asuquo tried his luck from distance, but Ocheje managed to stop the winger’s effort. Effiong then cut inside the box before aiming a shot at the bottom corner, only to be denied by the goalkeeper. And ten minutes before the break, the former Enyimba shot-stopper kept out Chukwu’s 30-yard effort.

In the 18th minute, Orok latched onto Asuquo’s pass in the area and after two brilliant dummies, he had a clear sight of the target. Instead of making a goal attempt, he cut back. That proved wasteful, as no orange shirt was nearby to poke home.

Asuquo also blew away a glorious chance. The former Nigeria U20 international sent a pass to Effiong, who burst into the area before sending the ball back to the onrushing wide man. The speedster fired disappointingly wide of the bar.

The Ibesikpo-born player thought he had a penalty after Moses Bunde handled the ball in the area. The referee, though, waved aside the appeals.

But seven minutes into the second half, when Bunde handled the winger’s pass again, Kassim Abdulsalam couldn’t help but point to the spot.

Ocheje saved Effiong’s penalty, the follow-up hit the base of the post and a goal-mouth melee ensued, before Orok slammed home to break the hearts of the away side.

In the last 30 minutes, the home side did not play with the level of intensity they played with in the first half, though they created one big chance. Asuquo rounded a defender, sprinted clear before finding Orok, who was unmarked. The 32-year-old hesitated before miscueing his shot.

Centre-back Denis Nya struggled late on, allowing Abdulkareem Mumini — arguably Lobi’s best performer on the evening — space a number of times.

Mumini tested Jean Efala just before the the 90-minute mark, but goalkeeper Jean Efala did well to stop the effort.

And in the last attempt of the evening, Austin Ogunye saw his header saved by the Cameroonian.

Despite losing the tie, Lobi are still second in the standings — two points behind leaders Plateau United, who lost 3-0 at Abia Warriors.

They are however level on points with Rivers United, who earned a 2-0 victory at Adamawa United.

Mfoniso Williams