By Ojomu Idowu, Sportspro News
Akwa United’s lack lustre performance last season will not be repeated in the coming season, coach Deji Ayeni has assured.
Winners of the Nigeria Professional Football League for the first time in their history the season before, Akwa United not only failed to defend their title in the recently-ended season at No 9 with 25 points separating the Promise Keepers and champions Rivers United.
Ayeni, who was recruited in the second stanza of the season when Kennedy Boboye departed the Uyo-based team, promised the fans and football stakeholders a brand new team that would contest the first position and represent Nigeria in the prestigious CAF Champions League.
On a brief visit to the Publisher of Sportspro News, Mr Bayour Issah in his Ilorin, Kwara State office, expressed his gratitude to the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel and the people of the state for their immense support, even as the target was to win a continental ticket.
Ayemi, who was in Ilorin to fraternise with friends and family after a tedious soccer season, particularly praised the club Chairman and Special Adviser on Sports, Etubom Paul Bassey for the fatherly role he played to keep the team intact for the next challenges.
He advised the players to double their efforts to ensure a successful 2022/23 soccer season, adding that he would blend the old players and the new ones early in time ahead of the new season.
Ayeni has resolved to remain with Akwa United despite offers by various clubs in Nigeria and abroad to lure him.
The former Sunshine Stars coach later presented a souvenir Akwa United jersey to Issah, who noted that the resourceful coach is right on course to become an international manager of repute.
He thanked him for the gift and wished him well in his endeavour.
