By Akanimo Kufre
The Nest of champions once again lived up to expectations as Coach Abdu Maikaba’s breeding ground for champions. Last Sunday, the newly hatched kids step up their game with 14 consecutive home win.
Previously, ace sports journalist and Chairman of Akwa United FC, Paul Bassey once called the pitch a ‘Slaughter House’ and boasted that his newly signed youthful players would take NPFL by storm.
True to their word Akwa united players and fans indeed showed no mercy to exhausted Desert Stars who had fought two days road journey into Nest of champions for Matchday 3 games.
With two first half goals from Victor Mbaoma 30′ and Michael Ibe 32′ visiting desert stars of Yobe could hardly scratch formidable midfield and defence structure of the Promise Keepers.
Both the past like Ubong Friday and the future Aniekeme Asuquo (Perrere) represented the Uyo side that evening. Ubong enacted popular jersey No. 7 spirit when he took a knuckle bolt free kick that narrowly miss but hit the cross bar of Yobe Stars in the second half.
Aniekeme who has fast forwarded Paul Bassey’s prophecy has attracted more supporters back to watch Akwa united. The energetic NPFL new comer made again set pieces that brought goals Akwa United on Sunday. He was dropped couple of times by Yobe defenders who would not let him dribble pass for killer pass or one-on-one with keeper. Aniekeme had only one uncompleted pass in the match against Yobe Stars and delightfully won the Man of the Match.
Uyo fans were eager for more goals though they enjoyed the game. They were certainly not alone as Yobe Head Coach acknowledged same. ‘It was a good match, Akwa gave us a very good match and I really enjoyed the game. Akwa is a very good side with a lot of quality.’
For coach of Akwa, Yobe Stars is a very good and experienced team, but sympathized with their fatigue and however wished his boys had taken the goal tally higher. ‘We lost most of the chances (scoring). But I thank God we were able to win and we have the three points at stake.’
To consolidate on the top position of the league the soft spoken tactician has identified a weakness and promised toughens his players’ psychology for away win. ‘I believe my players need to be mentally strong. Sometimes we go to a game and if the ground is not good just that will affect their thinking and they will not be strong to fight for the 3 point. Sometimes officiating can also make them to be weak. But I believe anywhere anytime you want to achieve success they must be obstacles.’
The Uyo based Promise Keepers players promised to do well as they depart early for next game with Niger Tornadoes comes Wednesday.
