✍️ By: Chris Emenyonu

There were only eight minutes left until the end of the first-leg tie at the Nest of Champions stadium in Uyo. The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions, Akwa United had just begun their 2020/21 CAF Champions League campaign with a rather tricky tie against Algerian Champions, CR Belouizdad. The visitors were running away with the advantage. They had managed to deny the Promise Keepers from scoring. They didn’t score, either. The home fans had become nervous and anxious, biting every nail on their fingers. Then, captain Ubong Friday brought back the joy with a clean strike from 20 yards after gathering a poor clearance from the Algerians to put Kennedy Boboye’s men in good stead to qualify for the group stages.

For a team that lost a few of its stars, most of which contributed massively to their first NPFL title triumph, there was this doubt that the team could not replicate the performances from last season.

Although, there were obvious signs that the team still has a lot of work to do especially in front of goal, the defence that contributed largely to their triumph in the league last season showed resilience with an applaudable performance against CR Belouizdad, proving that they could still lead the team to the ‘Promised land’. As they say: “Defence wins you titles.”

Samson Gbadebo — The New block

Olisa Ndah has since joined Orlando Pirates but his presence was felt even with the performance of Samson Gbadebo against CR Belouizdad. Olisa partnered Samson last season but with the former gone, Samson rose to the task of being the rock in the United defence.
Samson’s reading of the game, his passing range from deep, aerial dominance, calmness and composure were the highlights of his performance against the Algerians.

The 24 year old has now established himself as the new defensive block at Akwa United and he will be the main man at the back as the Nigerians surge to a successful season.

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Denis is back home

Denis spent last season on loan at Plateau United . This season, he is back at his parent club and walked straight into the starting XI to fill the void left by Olisa. He had been trusted by his manager for such a crucial game.

He impressed in his first game for the Promise Keepers with the stakes very high. He combined well with Samson Gbadebo in the heart of defence.

Denis’ awareness and calmness on the ball came to the fore against CR Belouizdad as he and Samson stopped every form of fluidity in the attack of the Algerians.

At Plateau United, Nya was one of the highly-rated CBs in the league and with enough experience gathered, he looks ready to help Akwa United win more trophies.

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Safe Hands

Adewale Adeyinka kept the highest number of clean sheets in the NPFL last term (16). He has begun the 2021/22 season exactly where he stopped, with a big performance against CR Belouizdad.

Being the last line of defence for Akwa United, he has safely landed the Promise Keepers to the ‘promised land’ with his hands.

The big goalkeeper showed his quality when he made a big stop in a one on one situation after his defence had been outmaneuvered.

Adewale will be hoping to improve on his record breaking number of clean sheets in the new NPFL season.

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A well-knit back-four of the aforementioned players alongside Evans Ogbonda who had 7 assists from left back last season joining the team and Etboy Akpan from the right back, Akwa United’s defence is ready to lead the Promise Keepers to glory yet again.