Nigeria Premier Football League clubs Akwa United FC and Dakkada FC will trade tackles in the first Semi-final of the 2023 Akwa Ibom State FA Cup today.
Here is a preview of the Orange derby. The only one expected (Except they qualify and meet at the super-six playoff) this season as both teams are separately grouped in the Abridged Nigeria Premier Football League season.
ABOUT THE MATCH: In the history of the Akwa Ibom State FA Cup, Akwa United FC and Dakkada FC are customed to meeting in the final, but this time, the case is different.
They will slug it out in the semi-final for not just a place in the final but also one of two available slots to the National Federation Cup.
The match will take place at the Training pitch of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo by 4pm on Tuesday March 14, 2023.
Akwa United FC have not played a competitive game since February 19, when the Promise Keepers held Shooting Stars Sports Club to a 2-2 draw in a NPFL matchday nine encounter at the Lekan Salami Stadium Ibadan .
Coach Ayodeji Ayeni tutored Akwa United FC have however engaged in friendly games following the Nigeria Premier Football League mid-season break.
Against a Dakkada FC team that defeated Vandrezzer Academy 2-1 in the first round, Akwa United FC will bank on their superior head-to-head record over the chosen ones in all competitions.
Coach Umar Danlami and his Dakkada FC charges will attempt to upstage Akwa United’s dominanice in this fixture but may have to do so without the services of two Akwa United FC loanees in their squad, Godswill Nicholas and Isaac George, three Nigeria U-23 Eagles invitees and Africa U-20 Cup of Nations bronze medalist Daniel Daga.
Akwa United FC are the most successful team in the history of the Akwa Ibom State FA Cup having won 13-titles .
The winner of this clash will face the victor in second Semi-final between Vandrezzer FC and FC ONE Rockets In the final.
The finalists will represent Akwa Ibom State at the National Federation Cup. Akwa United FC have twice been crowned champions of the Nigeria Federation Cup.
