October 02, (THEWILL) – Robert Mizo was the hero as Bayelsa United came from behind thrice to defeat their South-South neighbours, Akwa United, 5-3 in the first match of the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa.
The visitors, Akwa United, went in front through Hadi Mohammed’s finish after a mistimed clearance from the Bayelsa United defence to give them a deserved lead in the 21st minute of the game.
Prosperity Boys wasted no time in getting the equaliser through Alex Jerry after debutant Olatubosun Ogini’s cross found him unmarked in the 18-yard box in the 27th minute of the game.
Akwa United went in front again after midfielder Oguntayo Seyi’s deflected shot from 25 yards out beat Kelvin Ogunga of Bayelsa United.
Just when it seemed like the first half would end in favour of the visitors, Robert Mizo got his first goal of the season after some neat footwork from Okorie Ekeson to put him through on goal. The Ogbia-born striker made no mistake in bringing his team level again.
Both teams went into the changing room after the referee’s halftime whistle to the excitement of the home fans.
The second half of the game was more tactical as both coaches made changes for their respective teams.
Bayelsa United Coach, Diepriye Teibowei, switched to a 4-4-2 formation with Nneoyi Emmanuel and Isaac George making their Bayelsa United debut.
Fatai Osho was forced to make a substitution when former Bayelsa United right back, Samuel Ganda, was replaced by Etim Mathew as a result of the former’s injury.
Just when the home team looked to have taken control of the midfield, the visitors went in front in what was definitely the peak of the bunch. Oguntayo Seyi’s shot from 35 yards flew past the helpless goalkeeper of Bayelsa United in the 76th minute of the game to give the visitors the lead for the 3rd time in the game.
With that goal, Coach Diepreye Teibowei was forced to make an attacking change, and John Bassey, a product of the just concluded Governors Cup tagged the “Prosperity Cup”, was brought in to make his top-flight debut.
In the 82nd minute of the game, substitute Etim Mathew was the culprit as his back pass found marksman Robert Mizo, who made no mistake to punish the visitors to tie the game 3-3.
Just when it seemed like the game would end in a draw, Robert Mizo rose highest to head in Olatunbonsun Ogini’s corner kick to give Bayelsa United the lead for the first time in the game, thereby scoring the first hattrick of the new NPFL season.
Akwa United players were left with no option but to come out for the equaliser, but were punished again, as the recently introduced John Bassey made easy work of his marker to square the ball to Nneoyi Emmanuel, who beat Jean Efala of Akwa United to secure the home team’s lead.
Speaking to the Media after the game, Bayelsa United Technical Adviser, Diepreye Teibowei, said he was happy with his boys for coming from behind against a very good side in Akwa United.
He added that playing with two strikers up front was the key to his team’s victory after switching formation midway through the second half.
His counterpart and Head Coach of Akwa United, Fatai Osho, who was visibly upset with the result, branded the result as “a big shame” after leading three times in the game.
He added that a lot of elementary errors were made by his team and such mistakes are always punished in top-level football.
Bayelsa United will take on Doma United at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe next week while Akwa United will be at home to newcomers Sporting Lagos at the Nest of Champions Uyo.
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