NPFL Match Day 1: It's a South South derby in Yenagoa between Bayelsa United FC, Akwa United FC

Posted : 30 September 2023

Bayelsa United of Yenagoa are set to kick off their 2023/2024 NPFL Season with a blockbuster encounter against South South neighbours Akwa United at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex Yenagoa.

Bayelsa United FC escaped relegation by whiskers last season on the very last Match Day, courtesy a two first half Goals from New Rivers United Midfielder Alex Oyowah and Stephen Wisdom against Niger Tornadoes which was enough for the Prosperity Boys to maintain their top flight Status.

Akwa United on the other hand will be looking at going a step further after finishing fourth in Group A of last season abridged league by three goals difference, thereby missing the opportunity of playing in last season's Super Six.

Coach Diepreye Teibowei tutored side have lost key players such as Defender Endurance Ebedebiri, Goalkeeper Osagie Onisodumeya, and aforementioned Alex Oyowah to neighbours Rivers United, while the likes of Taiwo Abdul Rafiu and Yunusa Sheriff have also left for greener pastures but just like every NPFL side, Bayelsa United have made numerous signings to improve their team.

And just like last season, Bayelsa United will be kicking of their league campaign against an Akwa Ibom State team, and will be hoping to get a better result than they did against relegated Dakkada United in a 1-1 draw.

The Prosperity Boys will be looking at avoiding a similar start to last season where they won one and drew the rest of the home games in the first half of last season.

The last time both sides met in the League was in August, 2015 at this same venue when Solomon Junior's opener for Bayelsa United was cancelled out by Aniekpeno Udo in a 1-1 draw.

Both sides met in a friendly few weeks ago in Uyo, when both sides played out another 1-1 draw, so they're definitely not strangers to each other's tactics.

For Bayelsa United, they will be happy to retain the service of their last season Top Scorer Robert Mizo who had offers from both local and international clubs but decided to stay put for his team.

Akwa United have brought in a New Coach in Fatai Osho from Rivers United to improve on their last season league finish to at least pick up a continental ticket.

Signings have been made by both sides and spectators here at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa, and everyone will expect nothing short of goals in a fixture that promises to be a cracker for both sets of fans.

Head to Head, Bayelsa United FC and Akwa United FC have met six times, while Akwa United still have the upper hand of three wins against Bayelsa United FC with two wins, while one of the games ended in a draw.

NPFL Match Day 1: It's a South South derby in Yenagoa between Bayelsa United FC, Akwa United FC

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