Diamond International Academy were a goal better than Akwa United in a preseason friendly at the Ikot Ekpene Stadium, Ikot Ekpene on Wednesday.

Captain of the Umuahia based Academy, Francis Nweke registered the only goal of the game courtesy of a defensive error which let the forward slot the ball past onrushing Goalkeeper Jean Efala in the 70th minute.

“I feel excited. We coming all the way from Umuahia to play Akwa United is a very big thing. In our mind, we came here to win not to draw so we thank God for the victory,” an excited Nweke said after the game.

Also, he highlighted the benefit of the victory and stressed playing a “big team like Akwa United will help improve their game.”

Prior to the game, Physiotherapist of the team, Harrison Mache while speaking to Busybodies boasted of the team’s ability to defeat the 2017 Aiteo Cup champions on their own turf.

“It is just a “banker” that we are winning. We are not afraid of any team.
We have been beating Premiership teams in Umuahia: Abia Warriors and all of them.”

Meanwhile, a depleted Akwa United side ladened by a tedious preseason friendly schedule, injuries and the absence of Mfon Udoh, Etiboy, Samuel Matthias, Ndifreke Effiong Effiong (all invited for CHAN) lacked the cutting edge in front of the opponent’s goal area.

The Promise Keepers had not lost a game until this meeting against Samuel Chukwueze’s childhood club and have now played nine friendlies, won five, drawn three and lost one.