Nigeria Professional Football League title holders Akwa United received a major boost following the return to fitness of two of their key players; goalkeeper Adewale Adeyinka and defender Samson Gbadebo ahead of their match-day 27 tie against Enyimba on Sunday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

Goalkeeper Adewale Adeyinka missed his team’s last two games (1-0 win against Lobi Stars and a 1-0 loss against Katsina United) following an injury.

Defender Samson Gbadebo has not been in action since match-day 18 after sustaining a domestic injury, but the duo who were instrumental to the Promise Keepers on their title winning campaign last season have been confirmed fit and were part of coach Ayodeji Ayeni’s training programmes throughout the week, and may likely return to action on Sunday.

Speaking ahead of his team’s crucial game against Enyimba, coach Ayodeji Ayeni in an exclusive interview with the club’s official website www.akwaunitedfc.com said his team is in good shape to go all out for victory.

“We are delighted to see all our players. back to training after some injury concerns. We got positive news from the medical department when we came back from Katsina and with that there has been lots of competitions among the players because they all want to play.

“We are particularly happy to have Adewale and Gbadebo back in the team. Their return to fitness is a big boost to all of us.

“As a team, we are committed and determined to ensure we make the best we can out of this season. From what we have done in our training programmes, I can boldly say that we are in top shape and fully prepared for any challenge.

“Our match against Enyimba is a key match for us and we have to give it our all to ensure we get a positive result. I have passed the message to my players and they are aware of the importance of this game so we won’t leave anything to chance”.

Akwa United 6th on the log with 39 points have recorded ten wins, nine draws and seven loses after 27 rounds of matches. The champions will be aiming for their 11th victory of the season on Sunday when they engage 7th placed Enyimba who are one place and one point behind them.

The Peoples Elephants won the first leg 1-0 in Aba but they have lost all three of their previous visits to Uyo.

Coach Ayodeji Ayeni who was voted NPFL Best coach in the month of April after guiding Akwa United to three wins and three draws in the month under review, will be aiming for his fourth win in eight games since joining the club in mid-season.

The game is billed to kickoff at four O’clock (4pm) in the afternoon.

Reigning Nigeria Professional Football League Champions Akwa United recorded their biggest victory in the NPFL following a resounding 6-1 thrashing of Nasarawa United on match-day 24 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

Captain Ubong Friday, who recently returned to full fitness opened the flood-gate of goals in the seventh minute when he slammed home a rebound after goalkeeper Danlami Umar spilled Bello Babatunde’s ferocious strike from a free kick.

Midfielder Adam Yakubu doubled the lead in the 15th minute tucking in Bello Babatunde’s low cross before speedster Wisdom Fernando scored twice within seven minutes.

Fernando first received a long pass from goalkeeper Adewale Adeyinka and skipped past the opposing defenders before sending his low drive into the bottom left corner of the post. The speedster then grabbed his brace when he stylishly volleys home his team’s fourth goal of the afternoon as they went into the break with a deserved lead.

On resumption of play, Nasarawa United enjoyed few moments of possession and pulled a goal back through King Osanga.

Akwa United responded almost immediately through Bello Babatunde whose well-timed strike flew past Danlami Umar into the back of the net.

With ten minutes before the end of the game, substitute striker Franklin Matib put the icing on the cake when he raced down the right flank and unleashed a powerful strike beyond Danlami Umar for Akwa United’s sixth goal of the game as the hosts secured their eighth win of the season.

The 6-1 victory over Nasarawa United was the first time Akwa United have beaten any team by such a wide margin in their 14 seasons in the Nigeria’s top flight league.

Coach Ayodeji Ayeni’s team are on a five-match unbeaten run comprising two (2) wins and three (3) draws.

Coach Ayeni in a post match interview congratated his players for putting up a splendid performance against a team like Nasarawa United.

“We are improving everyday, and I’m happy that we have been able to change the mentality of the players and hard work we put in during training is beginning to reflect in our matches and the boys are also very confident and determined.

“Our attention is now on the game against Lobi Stars this weekend. Our target is to give our very best in all our games while hoping for the best as we continue to move forward “.

The Promise Keepers remained 7th on the log with 36 points from 24 games and they will next engage Lobi Stars in Uyo on Sunday 24th April, 2022.