After a cagey first half that produced more nerves than clear-cut chances, the hosts found the breakthrough in the second period, sending the home crowd into rapturous celebration and significantly boosting their ambitions for a strong finish to the season.
At the heart of the victory was talismanic forward Chigozie Nwafor, whose tireless performance earned him the Man of the Match accolade. The energetic number 7, who led the attacking line with relentless pressing and intelligent movement, expressed unfiltered delight after the final whistle.
“I feel very happy,” Nwafor said with a broad smile, in an interview; adding, "it’s all about joy seeing my club win. This was a very tough match, but we stayed focused. Now we are looking ahead, we are going to Calabar to win. Sure win.”
The contest carried significant implications for both sides, particularly in the race for promotion and league positioning. Akwa United, desperate for maximum points to solidify their upward trajectory, were met with a resilient Abakaliki side determined to protect their home turf and secure stability within the NNL hierarchy.
Abakaliki FC Head coach Mr. Starplus Anista, visibly elated post-match, lauded his team’s resilience and tactical execution, emphasizing the magnitude of the result.
“I feel very excited. I’m impressed with the performance of the boys. We knew this was going to be a very tough game. The outcome here has serious implications who gets promoted and who doesn’t. They needed all three points, but we fought hard and secured ours," he stated.
The coach also addressed murmurs of internal criticism and squad selection controversies, firmly reiterating his merit-based approach.
“In football, performance in training determines selection not reputation on paper. We block out distractions and focus on results. When you win, the critics naturally go quiet," he explained.
Looking ahead, Anista has his sights set on a strong finish, with an away fixture against Rovers FC in Calabar looming as the final hurdle of the season.
“We want to finish in the top three or four. That’s our target. We haven’t secured an away win this season only draws. It would be special to end the campaign with a victory on the road," he added.
Off the pitch, the atmosphere was equally electric, with fans playing their part in galvanizing the team. Chairman of the Abakaliki FC Supporters Club, Prince Maurice Mbam, dismissed notions of luck, insisting the victory was a product of hard work and determination.
“It was not miraculous but it was deserved. The boys played well and earned this win. In football, you reap what you sow. They worked hard, and the result came," he said.
Mbam also used the moment to issue a constructive advisory to the technical crew, urging greater collaboration within the coaching setup to sustain consistency and elevate performance levels.
“No one is perfect, the coach must continue to work closely with his technical team. Collective input can help build a stronger, more effective squad," he advised.
In a significant development, Mbam revealed plans by the Supporters Club to intensify its backing by traveling with the team for away fixtures, a move aimed at countering hostile environments and boosting player morale.
“We will begin traveling with the team. The intimidation away from home is too much, and we must stand by our players wherever they go,” he declared.
With momentum now firmly on their side, Abakaliki FC turn their attention to both the season finale in Calabar and the upcoming FA Challenge Cup competitions that could further define what is shaping up to be a promising campaign for the Rice Boys.
As the final whistle echoed across the Abakaliki skyline, this was more than just a contest for three points because it was a clear statement of intent.
Victor Nwegede
