Match preview: champions Akwa United storm Lafia for Sunday’s blockbuster clash with Nasarawa United

By Akila Matawal
Nigeria Professional Football League title holders Akwa United Friday evening safely arrived Lafia and are set to engage hosts Nasarawa United in Sunday’s matchday 4 NPFL encounter.
The Promise Keepers checked in at their hotel in high spirits after earning a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Gombe United on Wednesday in Uyo to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
Captain Ubong Friday leads the Kennedy Boboye fold alongside Akarandut Orok, left-back David Philip, goalkeeper Adewale Adeyinka and the central defensive pair of Denis Nya and Sampson Gbadebo are all part of the travelling squad.

Last season, Akwa United lost at Lafia City Stadium but won the reverse fixture in Uyo. Interestingly, both ties ended with the same scoreline. A heartbreaking winner in stoppage time by Adamu Hassan gifted the Solid Miners a win on Valentine’s Day in Lafia, before the Promise Keepers got their pound of flesh with a 2-1 win en route clinching their first-ever league title since their inception.
High in confidence after three matches, Akwa United head into the tie second on the log — behind Remo Stars — no thanks to an inferior goal difference. A 3-0 opening-day win over Kano Pillars, a 1-1 draw at Shooting Stars and a 1-0 defeat of Gombe United complete the team’s scorecard so far this season.
Nasarawa United, just like Akwa United, are unbeaten this season. However, they’re chasing their first win of the campaign, having drawn all their three games.
Akwa United are currently enjoying their best start to an NPFL season in recent years and look determined to get a positive result at the Lafia City Stadium when the Nasarawa United showdown kicks off at 4pm on Sunday.