NPFL: Nasarawa United draw goalless with Akwa United
NPFL
By Olukayode Babalola
Lafia, March 18, 2020 (NAN) Nasarawa United Football Club on Wednesday in Lafia drew goalless with visiting Akwa United FC of Uyo.
The draw was in a 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Match Day 25 fixture.
It was the first match the hosts were playing at their home ground Lafia Township Stadium since March 8 when Chineme Martins, one of their players, slumped and died on the pitch.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nasarawa state government fulfilled its promise by making available adequate medical equipment and personnel for the match.
Two well-equipped ambulance from the state government and one from the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) were on ground to take care of any medical eventualities.
NAN reports that 11 medical personnel were also on ground —- four from Nasarawa United, two from Akwa United and five from the NRCS —- with stretchers and a well-equipped clinic.
In spite of the draw, spectators were entertained by efforts made by both teams to score.
Some spectators were even amused when in the 25th minute of the game, the centre referee called for a break for both teams to refresh themselves for five minutes before play resumed.
NAN reports that all efforts to score by both teams in the second half also proved abortive as the defence lines of both teams stood their ground till the final whistle was blown.
Kennedy Boboye, Head Coach of Akwa United, praised his players for adhering to plan.
He rued the chances they missed, which could have given them a memorable away victory.
“We lost it in Katsina and we agreed and decided to come here to get the three points. But it didn’t work the way we wanted.
“Nevertheless, I am impressed with the performance of my team. Our plan now is to go back and win our home matches.
“I am also impressed with the rate at which teams are picking points away and I hope it is maintained because, in the long run, it will be good for the NPFL,” Boboye said.
Earlier, before the match was played, a delegation from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) paid a condolence visit to Gov. Abdullahi Sule.
The visit was to commiserate with him over the death of the late Nasarawa United player.
The delegation was led by Ibrahim Gusau, a member of the NFF Executive Committee, who represented Amaju Pinnick, the NFF president.(NAN)
OB/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)