Unbeaten Akwa United exit Gov Wike tournament

Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side Akwa United on Thursday bowed out of the Gov Wike Pre-season tournament holding at the Sharks Football Stadium, Port Harcourt despite staying unbeaten in their four group games.

The Promise Keepers, coached by former Sharks striker Kennedy Boboye needed an outright win over Ottasolo FC of Lagos to book a semi-final place but were held to a 0-0 stalemate by the non-league side.

New signing Charles Atshimene was guilty of missing a couple of gilt-edged chances in the second half as United frittered away their chance of progression, with their spot now likely to go to hosts Rivers United who defeated Cynosure FC 2-0 in the day’s earlier game.

The draw meant that Akwa United amassed six point from four games having won one and drawn three while hosts Rivers United and Lobi Stars are already on seven points apiece.

Top two teams in each group advance to the semi finals with MFM FC and Bayelsa United already through from Group B while the final game of Group A on Friday morning between Ottasolo FC and Lobi Stars will determine who joins Rivers United in the semi final.

In the mean time, tournament organisers have announced that the pre-season competition will now end on Sunday as against Saturday.

In a release signed by tournament coordinator Bashiru Badawiy, semi final matches will now take place on Saturday while the grand finale will hold on Sunday, all at the Sharks Football Stadium, Port Harcourt City.