Akwa United now sit behind Group A leaders Bendel Insurance, and second-placed Enyimba, with 15 points gotten from nine matches.
Akwa United boss Deji Ayeni called his side's 2-2 draw with Shooting Stars a 'good result', adding that his team were able to get such a result because they believe more in going all out to score, than defending.
Akwa United were denied a possible victory in Ibadan by Shooting Stars, as Ibrahim Ajani's equalizer sealed a 2-all draw following earlier goals by Uche Collins and Akwa United's duo of Joshua Akpan and Liman Ahmadu.
The draw was the Promise Keepers' fourth game without a defeat and saw them enter qualification places for the Super 6 in Group A.
Attack is the best form of defence - Ayeni
Reacting to his side's draw at the Lekan Salami Stadium on Sunday, Ayeni praised the outcome of the fixture, adding that leaving with a point was better than leaving without anything.
"It was a very tactical and high-intensity game. It wasn't a bad result for either side - it's better than losing at home and it's better than going back home without any points," the Akwa United boss said.
"The hallmark of good football is attack. It is the best form of defence. There is no need to sit back and park the bus because you want to get the points. If we were not unlucky, we would have gotten our third goal.
"In an abridged league, every point is very vital. Any points you get are going to count at the end of the day. Hopefully, we are going to cross into the Super 6 playoff, where we get there, we would know what to talk about," he concluded.
Akwa United third in Group A
Akwa United now sit behind Group A leaders Bendel Insurance, and second-placed Enyimba, with 15 points gotten from nine matches.
The NPFL is expected to go on a three-week break on completion of Week 9 fixtures on Wednesday, following the 2023 Nigerian Presidential/Parliament/Gubernatorial elections.
According to Ayeni, Akwa United players will take one of three weeks as a rest period, before returning to training ahead of the return of the league in March.
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