Match Preview: Bayelsa United to face Akwa United in NPFL Season opener
Bayelsa, By Yakubu Uzoma Muhammad and Francis Joseph
Bayelsa United are set to kick off their 2023/2024 NPFL Season with a blockbuster encounter against SouthSouthern neighbours Akwa United at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex Yenagoa.
Two first half Goals from newly acquired Rivers United midfielder Alex Oyowah and Stephen Wisdom in their season finale against Niger Tornadoes was enough for the Prosperity Boys to maintain their top flight status.
Meanwhile Akwa United were dumped out of the chance for the super six championship by Enyimba via three goals.
Coach Diepreye Teibowei-tutored side have lost key players such as Defender Endurance Ebedebiri, Goalkeeper Osagie Onisodumeya, and the aforementioned Alex Oyowah to neighbours Rivers United, the likes of Taiwo Abdul Rafiu and Yunusa Sheriff have also left for greener pastures but just like every NPFL side Bayelsa United have made numerous signings to improve their team.
And just like last season, Bayelsa United will be kicking off their league campaign against an Akwa Ibom State team, and will be hoping to get a better result than they did against Relegated Dakkada United in a 1-1 draw.
The Prosperity Boys will be looking at avoiding a similar start to last season where they won one and drew the rest of the home games in the first half of last season.
The last time both sides met in the League was in August, 2015 at this same venue when Solomon Junior’s opener for Bayelsa United was cancelled out by Aniekpeno Udo in a 1-1 draw.
Both sides met in a friendly few weeks ago in Uyo, when both sides played out another 1-1 draw so they’re definitely not strangers to each other’s tactics.
For Bayelsa United, they will be happy to retain the service of their last season Top Scorer Robert Mizo who had offers from both local and international clubs but decided to stay put for his team.
Akwa United have brought in a New Coach in Fatai Osho from Rivers United to improve on their last season league finish to at least pick up a continental ticket.
Signings have been made by both sides and spectators here at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa will expect nothing short of goals in a fixture that promises to be a cracker for both sets of fans.
Here are the stats ahead of the blockbuster encounter:
Bayelsa United vs Akwa United FC
Total number of times met in the league: 6
Bayelsa United wins: 2
Akwa United wins: 3
Drawn Match: 1
Last Time Both Sides Met In the league
2/08/2015
Bayelsa United 1-1 Akwa United.
Solomon Junior gave Bayelsa United the lead while Aniekpeno Udo equalised for Akwa United.
Biggest win recorded against each other
14/08/2013
Bayelsa United 4-1 Akwa United
31/03/2013
Akwa United 3-0 Bayelsa United
Total Goals Scored By Both Teams: 13
Bayelsa United: 6
Akwa United: 7
Bayelsa United have only kept 1 clean sheet in their last six previous meetings against Akwa United while the Uyo based side have kept 3 clean sheets.
