Stubborn Abia Warriors defeat Dakkada in six-goal thriller in Uyo

NPFL Stubborn Abia Warriors defeat Dakkada in six-goal thriller in Uyo

Jidechi Chidiezie 19:17 - 04.02.2023

The fixture also bore witness to the 100th goal scored in the NPFL this season.

Abia Warriors continued their fine start to the 2023 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, as they went away on Saturday to defeat Dakkada 4-2 in Uyo.

The six-goal thriller at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo became Dakkada's second consecutive defeat at home, and fourth defeat in a row in six matches.

The fixture also bore witness to the 100th goal scored in the NPFL this season.

Emmanuel Onu launch goal fest

Coming into the game on the back of conflicting outcomes from their last fixtures, Abia Warriors were the more motivated of both sides and showed it before the half hour.

In the 27th minute, Abia Warrior's right midfielder Emmanuel Onu capitalized on a loose ball to get the opener in the opposition box, to give his side a first-half lead.

That goal did spur them even further after the break as just three minutes into the second half they got their second through John Peter.

Dakkada fail at fightback

The hosts then attempted at putting up a fight, as Emmanuel Ayoasi pulled one back for them in the 65th minute of the game. However, the two-goal lead was restored barely fourteen minutes later as Felix Aniekwe scored his side's third, and 100th goal of the 2023 season.

The Uyo club did attempt to fight back once more, as Aniekan Ekpe scored their second of the day, taking the score to 3-2, but Abia Warriors were going to have no more of it, with Monday Yakubu responding with a fourth goal.

While the 4-2 result now sees Abia Warriors temporarily go level on points with second-placed Lobi Stars, Dakkada, on the other hand, sinks deeper into Group B, and just stays two points off relegation places.