Ituen Football Academy step up preparations for State FA Cup

BY UBONG INYANG

Ituen Football Academy on Monday played out 1-1 draw against Offot Ukwa United in a closed door friendly ahead of the upcoming State FA Cup tournament.

The game which was played at the team’s training pitch at the House of Assembly saw the home side take an early lead through Abraham David’s pile driver from inside the box. This set the tone for the team to pressurize the away team for the second goal but to no avail. However, the away team responded in similar fashion with the equalizer in the 40th minute to keep the scores level at half time.

The second half saw both sides push all out for the winner and were exposed at the back on several occasions but the strikers weren’t clinical enough to score the decisive goal. Offot Ukwa United who are the defending champions of the state FA Cup were defensively composed and also showed rigour going forward and this spoke volumes about the team.

Ituen Academy on the other hand also made a case for themselves through intense pressure especially through the flanks thanks to the fast and pacy wingers at their disposal.

Speaking after the match, the Chairman of Ituen Fc Hon. Idong Ituen expressed satisfaction with his team stating that they are still a work in progress and their short term target is to compete in the National League. He further revealed that his Under 18 side will be embarking on a playing tour of Europe later in the year adding that he was inspired to establish an academy due to the limited harnessing of talents within the state which is reflective in the quota of indigenes in Akwa United.   

     
It was the second preparatory game in a space of four days for the Under 21’s of the Ituen Academy after having played the same score line against All Stars Feeders Itu on Friday and this will step up the team ahead of the State FA Cup which commences on the 20th of April.