Akwa United FC suffered a 1-0 defeat to Abakaliki FC on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at the Pa Nguele Oruta Stadium in a Matchday 17 fixture of the Nigeria National League (NNL).
It was a tense encounter as promotion-chasing Akwa United faced an Abakaliki side fighting to avoid relegation in the penultimate game of the 2025/2026 season.
Both teams created chances in the first half. Esonwanne Gift, Aniebiet Sunday, Michael Okenwa and Paulinus Okon all had efforts for the Promise Keepers, but neither side could find the breakthrough before the break.
The second half began on a troubled note due to serious security issues. Fans of the home side attacked match officials and members of Akwa United’s media team, seized their camera and stopped the recording of the game.
After a delay of about 19 minutes, play resumed. Abakaliki FC went on to score in the 70th minute, a goal that proved enough to secure all three points.
Despite the defeat, Akwa United remain top of the NNL Conference B table with 32 points, two points ahead of second-placed Sporting Lagos, who still have a game in hand.
Akwa United will now travel to face Solution FC in their final match of the season, with promotion hopes still alive as the race goes down to the wire
