Ubong Friday bags hat-trick as Akwa United spank Niger Tornadoes to keep survival hopes alive

Akwa United FC spanked Niger Tornadoes 4-1 in a Nigeria Premier Football League matchday 30 encounter to keep their survival hopes alive.

The match decided at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo saw Akwa United FC bag their first win under the tutelage of Muhammad Babaganaru who had lost his first two games at the club.

Ubong Friday started the goal-rain for Akwa United when he headed home from inside the penalty area after the visiting goalkeeper spilled a ferocious effort from Seyi Oguntayo.

That goal sparked further attempts from the Promise Keepers who made it two courtesy of a curling strike by winger Osoba Kabir, his first for the club. The first half ended 2-0 in favour of United who felt relief in their search for points to survive the drop.

The second half three goals, this time Ubong Friday took the job in his hands for Akwa United with two goals to bag a hat-trick.

For his brace, Ubong Friday headed home a Sani Suleiman corner-kick for 3-0 before firing home from the spot to make it 4-0.

Former FC ONE Rocket man, Clinton Jephta continued his fine goalscoring form when he scored from inside the six-yard for Niger Tornadoes in the dying minutes of the encounter.

Akwa United finished the game with ten-men after midfielder Ubong Essien saw red for a second cautionable offence. It finished 4-1 in favour of Akwa United who will now look to bag more points in their bid to avoid releagation from the Nigeria Premier Football League.

Akwa United have garnered 34-points to place 18th on the log with eight matches to the end of the season.