January, 2 2022.
Akwa United suffered first defeat of the season as Nasarawa United secured their first win of the season, when they beat the Promise Keepers 2-0 at the Lafia City Stadium in an NPFL Matchday 4 fixtures.
The Promise Keepers succumbed to the pressure from Nasarawa United in the second half, following a tough battle in the first half.
Micheal Tochukwu and Silas Nwankwo were on target to ensure that Nasarawa United picked their first home win of the season against the league champions.
It was a fascinating first half encounter that failed to produce a goal but plenty talking points as both teams defended well.
It was the visitors, that came close to open the scoring on 11th minute when a half volley from distance by Seth Mayi was calmly saved by Nasarawa United goalie, Ameh.
The hosts struggled to find their feet in the game but managed to get their first shot on target at 29th minute when Abdullahi's humble pass found Tochukwu in the box but Akea goalie Adeyinka does brilliantly to make a big save.
Nasarawa United continued their dominance and created some clear cut chances that could have put them in front, but their attackers were profligate as the first 45 minutes ended in a barren draw.
On resumption, the hosts decended on Akwa United like a house on fire as they dominated possession.
Silas Nwankwo watched on, as his low effort that could have put The Solid Miners in front at 49th minute, rolled out of touch.
Micheal Tochukwu finally broke the deadlock with an emphatic effort to put the host in front of a clever assist by Aliyu.
The Promise Keepers responded almost immediately through Friday Ubong whose effort narrowly missed the target, after connecting to a humble pass from Utibe at 64th minute.
Both coaches introduced fresh legs to fortify their teams as the game continued to hot-up.
However, it was Nasarawa United that benefited from the Substitution at 83rd minute as Silas Nwankwo rounded Akwa United goalie to double the lead with a calm finish off a sumptuous assist from Aliyu Abdullahi.
The Promise Keepers dominated the dying minutes of the proceedings as they search for equalizer but Nasarawa United defence stood their ground to repel them as the game ended 2 - 0 in favour of the the hosts.
Michael Tochukwu was voted Man of the Match.