Two more teams progressed to the second round of the 2nd Akarachi Mbaike Unity Football Tournament ongoing at Mbaitoli and Ikeduru simultaneously after Team Ifakala and Team Inyishi/Umudim defeated their opponents in the third day of the competition on Wednesday December 15th.
At the Ohuba Community Primary School playing pitch, Ubomiri, Mbaitoli LGA, Team Ifakala turned the heat on Afara/Eziama and deservedly knocked them out by three goals to nothing.
Ifakala dominated the early part of the game mounting ceaseless incursions into Afara/Eziama’s goal area and this caused their opponent to make a mistake that led to the curtain-raiser in the 28th minute. Ifakala’s Obioma Nwaosu made a routine cross into the vital area of their opponent and Eke Arinze in his bid to nod the ball out of danger ended up scoring an own goal to the delight of Ifakala.
Despite playing the most part of the first half in the half of Afara/Eziama there was no further goal as they went into the halftime with Ifakala’s slender lead.
Ifakala struck twice more in the second half through super sub Chikwado Iheanacho and Chisom Osuigwe in the 59th and 79th minutes with both assists for the goals coming from Junior Ndukwu who was a second-half substitute as well.
The Ifakala-Afara/Eziama tie became the first game to record at least a goal in the Mbaitoli centre this edition and it also recorded the first red card of the centre too when Okenna Nwankwo of Afara/Eziama stopped a goal-bound pullout with his hand to prevent a goal-scoring opportunity in the 57th minute. He was issued a second yellow card to add to the one he received in the 15th minute and was subsequently sent off.
Afara/Eziama were presented with a golden chance to reduce the tally in the 80th minute from the penalty spot after an infringement in the Ifakala’s goal area but Okechukwu Ubah fluffed the chance when his spot kick struck the post.
Meanwhile, at the Ikeduru centre, a first half goal from Inyishi/Umudim’s Chidera Onu in the 19th minute was enough to stop the further progression of Atta 1 in the annual competition. Onu who is otherwise known as Messi managed to starve off pressure from Atta 1’s defence to slam home the only goal of the game.
It brings to five teams that have qualified from the two centres. They are Iho Dimeze, Amaimo, Inyishi/Umudim, Ogwa 1 and Ifakala.
Action reaches day four today December 16th with Amakohia facing OUE at the Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu Stadium, Iho, Ikeduru while it will be battle royale at the Ohuba Community Primary School Playing Field, Ubomiri when Ubomiri entertains Orodo A in a winner takes all tie.
Results and Fixtures Of 2021/22 Akarachi Mbaike Unity Cup:
Ikeduru:
Uzoagba 1-4 Iho (13/12/21)
Amatta 0-4 Amaimo (14/12/21)
Inyishi/Umudim 1-0 Atta 1 (15/12/21)
Amakohia vs OUE (16/12/21)
Ngugo vs Atta 2 (17/12/21)
Avuvu vs Akabo (18/12/21)
Mbaitoli:
Ogwa 1 0-0 Ezinihitte (Ogwa 1 advanced 4-2 on penalties)
Ifakala 3-0 Afara Eziama (15/12/21)
Ubomiri vs Orodo A (16/12/21)
Amike vs Ogwa 11 (17/12/21)
Ogbaku vs Umunoha/Asano (18/12/21)
Umuagwu Umuwhoha vs Orodo B (19/12/21)
Net Shakers
3 goals
Akuonye Iwueze (Iho Dimeze)
Ekene Onu (Amaimo)
1 goal
Mmegwa Bekee (Uzoagba)
Simon Udoka (Iho Dimeze)
Chigozie Ogu (Amaimo)
Chikwado Iheanacho (Ifakala)
Chisom Osuigwe (Ifakala)
Chidera Onu (Inyishi/Umudim)
Eke Arinze (Afara/Eziama) (own goal)
