By Akila Matawal

Akwa United head coach Deji Ayeni has hailed his team’s synergy after their 3-0 Aiteo Cup round of 32 win over Remo Stars in Enugu on Wednesday evening.

Samuel Amadi’s hat trick condemned Remo Stars to defeat and confirmed Akwa United’s place in the last 16, and Ayeni was quick to commend the team’s teamwork in his post match reaction.

“Every player in my team has the quality to be in the first team…When your time hasn’t come to play, it doesn’t mean you are relegated to be in the second team. I don’t believe in a second team. I believe that everybody has the opportunity to play. And inside this team, I can tell you authoritatively there are some players that have not been playing regularly in the team that came in and justified their inclusion in the team.

“The guy that scored the three goals (Samuel Amadi) is on and off in the team, and other players that I brought in too.

“So I think it’s a very good synergy of understanding of the players. When one is out, one comes in to deliver.”

Ayeni also expressed excitement over the team’s goal return that has seen the Promise Keepers score six goals in two games in the Aiteo Cup: three against Essien Ayi in the round of 64, and three against Remo Stars in the round of 32.

“You can see the quality of goals they scored today and the other day, it’s as a result of teamwork and being clinical in front of goal.”

A disappointing ninth-placed finish saw Akwa United lose out on a continental spot, but the gaffer feels there is a chance through the Aiteo Cup.

“We want to go back to continent, and we believe that having lost it in the league, we can make it up in the Aiteo Cup”.

Akwa United will face Kogi United on Sunday at the UNEC Stadium, Enugu in the round of 16.

MFON PATRICK

Following his emergence as Nigeria Professional Football League Best Coach in the Month of April, head coach of Akwa United Ayodeji Ayeni has dedicated his first managerial Award to God for His grace upon his career.

Coach Ayeni made the declaration shortly after receiving the League Bloggers Award LBA at the training pitch of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium after his team’s Monday evening training session.

Chairman of the club Elder Paul Bassey who presented the Award to coach Ayeni on behalf of the organisers, League Bloggers Award LBA, congratulated coach Ayeni and encouraged him to do more.

“We at Akwa United are grateful that you have won this Award in your first month in our dear club. We truly believe that you deserve this Award because of what we achieved as a club in the month of April.

“As much as we celebrate this achievement, we want to encourage you to see it as a challenge going forward. We wish you well and more successes as coach of Akwa United” the chairman prayed.

Coach Ayeni won the Award ahead of Rivers United coach Stanley Eguma, and Gombe United’s Aliyu Zubairu as coach of the Month of April which was his first month in-charge of Akwa United following his arrival from Sunshine Stars in mid-season.

During the month under review, coach Ayeni guided the Promise Keepers to three wins and three draws, finishing the month undefeated.

In his reaction coach Ayeni expressed appreciation to God for his benevolence and also commended the efforts of his players which he said was instrumental to the team’s performance in April.

“First and foremost I give God all the glory for his blessings upon my career as a coach. It wouldn’t have been possible without his grace and mercies.

“I want to express my sincere gratitude to the management of Akwa United Football Club led by Elder Paul Bassey for giving me this opportunity to work as a coach in this wonderful club. In a very special way I want to commend my players for their commitment and dedication. Their solid performance helped us to go unbeaten in my first six games in-charge.

“Let me also use this opportunity to say a special thank you to my family for all the encouragement I have received. The support of my wife and kids has been massive and I don’t take it for granted.

“When I arrived at this club in mid-season, I knew I was at the right place and I’m particularly happy because this is my first individual Award as a coach in the NPFL.

“I want to dedicated this Award to God Almighty without whom no man can do anything. I also dedicate this Award to the Akwa United family, all the fans of the club and my immediate family. It’s my belief that this is the beginning of good things to come”.

The League Bloggers Award which was instituted in 2009 is known for recognizing and celebrating one outstanding player and a coach in the NPFL every month.

Nigeria Professional Football League title holders Akwa United received a major boost following the return to fitness of two of their key players; goalkeeper Adewale Adeyinka and defender Samson Gbadebo ahead of their match-day 27 tie against Enyimba on Sunday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

Goalkeeper Adewale Adeyinka missed his team’s last two games (1-0 win against Lobi Stars and a 1-0 loss against Katsina United) following an injury.

Defender Samson Gbadebo has not been in action since match-day 18 after sustaining a domestic injury, but the duo who were instrumental to the Promise Keepers on their title winning campaign last season have been confirmed fit and were part of coach Ayodeji Ayeni’s training programmes throughout the week, and may likely return to action on Sunday.

Speaking ahead of his team’s crucial game against Enyimba, coach Ayodeji Ayeni in an exclusive interview with the club’s official website www.akwaunitedfc.com said his team is in good shape to go all out for victory.

“We are delighted to see all our players. back to training after some injury concerns. We got positive news from the medical department when we came back from Katsina and with that there has been lots of competitions among the players because they all want to play.

“We are particularly happy to have Adewale and Gbadebo back in the team. Their return to fitness is a big boost to all of us.

“As a team, we are committed and determined to ensure we make the best we can out of this season. From what we have done in our training programmes, I can boldly say that we are in top shape and fully prepared for any challenge.

“Our match against Enyimba is a key match for us and we have to give it our all to ensure we get a positive result. I have passed the message to my players and they are aware of the importance of this game so we won’t leave anything to chance”.

Akwa United 6th on the log with 39 points have recorded ten wins, nine draws and seven loses after 27 rounds of matches. The champions will be aiming for their 11th victory of the season on Sunday when they engage 7th placed Enyimba who are one place and one point behind them.

The Peoples Elephants won the first leg 1-0 in Aba but they have lost all three of their previous visits to Uyo.

Coach Ayodeji Ayeni who was voted NPFL Best coach in the month of April after guiding Akwa United to three wins and three draws in the month under review, will be aiming for his fourth win in eight games since joining the club in mid-season.

The game is billed to kickoff at four O’clock (4pm) in the afternoon.

Speaking after his side’s lone goal triumph against Lobi Stars in a MatchDay 25 fixture played at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Sunday, Ayeni confessed that he was overwhelmed by the outcome of his first six games. He praised his players for maintaining a high degree of consistency and being focused. 

“We are happy with the result, but I still maintain that the team is still a work in progress. We are not there yet. In the situation we have found ourselves, the fans desire more, and we must do our best to meet their aspirations. I think we can assess the team better after matchday 30”, he said. 

Ayeni, who joined the Promise Keepers in mid-season, has not suffered a defeat since the MatchDay 20 draw at home to Rivers United, with the 6-1 bashing of Nasarawa United top of the list of results he has amassed for the Uyo side since taking over from Kennedy Boboye. 

Bello Babatunde’s stunning effort from the edge of the area in 37 minutes was all Akwa United needed to see off Lobi Stars of Makurdi. Despite dominating possession for most of the second half, Lobi Stars could not secure the equalizer that could have put them level on points with Dakkada FC and Abia Warriors. 

The result propelled Akwa United to 5th on the log, pending the outcome of Sunshine Stars’ date away to Kano Pillars in Abuja. Lobi is two points above the relegation zone but could end the MatchDay in the drop zone if Kano Pillars and Heartland FC win their respective fixtures on Monday. 

A 6-1 thrashing of Nasarawa United was Coach Deji Ayeni’s fifth game without a defeat since joining defending champions, Akwa United from Sunshine Stars of Akure in mid-season.

Akwa United have endured an indifferent start to their title defense but revival to their quest for a continental ticket emerged with the goal fest against Nasarawa United of Lafia in a MatchDay 24 game played at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Thursday

After the game, an excited Ayeni said he sees the team’s fortunes improving by the end of the campaign. He says that a continental ticket is possible for the Uyo-based side. 

“I came at a time when the team was struggling. They have quality players, but the challenge was their mentality. They only needed to believe in themselves.”, Ayeni told www.npfl.ng

“We have worked closely for the past couple of weeks, and I can attest that there has been significant progress. We hope to improve as we progress. The future is bright for the team, and we will push for the continent”, he said.

It was the 24th time both sides met in the top flight. The visitors came into the fixture with a slight head-to-head advantage, having won 8 and drawn 8 of the previous 23 games.

Ayeni welcomed his captain Ubong Friday back to the fold after three games, while defenders Orji Kalu, Dennis Nya, and Sampson Gbadedbo are yet to return from their respective injuries. 

The Promise Keepers got the fixture off to a bright start in the 9th minute when Nasarawa’s goalkeeper, Umar Danlami failed to hold Bello Babatunde’s 25 yards freekick. Ubong Friday was at the right spot to scramble in the rebound. 

Adam Yakubu doubled Akwa’s advantage in the 17 minute. Wisdom Fernando’s goals in the 22nd and 28th minute, helped the home side secure a four-goal advantage going into the break. 

Nasarawa United returned for the second half, hoping to peg back their hosts. King Osanga brought some spark to the Lafia side when he drilled home a rebound to reduce the deficit nine minutes after the restart.

Osanga’s goal ignited the home side to push further and restore the four-goal advantage three minutes after. Babatunde’s swerving shot displaced Danlami for the fifth. Substitute Franklin Matib came on with the final flourish on 79 minutes to compound Nasarawa’s woes. 

Bala Niyuku, attributed his team’s defeat to loss of concentration, pledging to address the challenges observed from the defeat suffered in Uyo. 

The win took Akwa United to 6th place on the log, with another home game to Lobi Stars of Makurdi on the cards. Nasarawa United slipped to 13th on the log with a date at home to Dakkada FC.

Match Stats:

Corners: 3-4

Shots: 11-5

On Target: 8-2

Fouls Won: 18-14

Yellow: 0-2

Red: 0-0

Saves: 1-2

Offsides: 1-2

The loss both teams suffered in the hands of FC Ebedei and ABS FC respectively on Saturday, threw the group open as all four teams now share 3points and each needing a win, draw or superior goal difference to qualify to the semis.

“Psychological and tactically my players were good going into the game against FC Ebedei having won the first game against ABS FC. 

“My players perhaps lost focus in the closing minutes of the game as we had everything in control before and after we scored the opening goal.

“But football is unpredictable, they came back to level score and at the end won the game.

“The last game of the group is now the determine factor for any team that intends to qualify for the last four.

“I want to assure our fans back home that Ekiti United will be ready for Gombe United; we’re going to give the game our best shot. Mind you if ABS FC can beat them, we can too.”