NPFL: MAIKABA, BOBOYE IN EMOTIONAL REUNION, AS PLATEAU, AKWA UTD CLASH IN JOS
MFON PATRICK
When Plateau United and Akwa United file out on Matchday 14 against each other on Sunday in Jos, the game will evoke some sweet memories and mixed feelings as two managers who recently swap teams will come up against their former clubs.
Abdul Maikaba who led Akwa United to Aiteo Cup triumph in 2017, joined Plateau United at the beginning of last season after spending two seasons with the Promise Keepers, while former Plateau United head Coach Kennedy Boboye who recently joined Akwa United following the departure of John Obuh, was in-charge of the Jos based side when they won the NPFL title in 2017.
Boboye and Maikaba won the two most important trophies in Nigeria between them in 2017 and they still have fond memories of the clubs that brought them such firm and fortune. The two teams still have in their books, some of the 2017 title winning players ahead of this weekend’s encounter.
Both managers will be on the touchline when their respective sides struggle for the three precious points at stake on Sunday.
Speaking ahead of the game, Coach Kennedy Boboye said, “Yes, I still have good memories of my time in Jos, winning the NPFL title with Plateau United is an experience I will never forget in my life, but I’m now with Akwa United and my focus is on doing my best to ensure the team achieve success this season.
“Concerning this game with my former team, I can say that we are here in Jos to fight for available points that will help us further our course this season”.
This top-of-the-table clash will see two teams, leaders Plateau United on 24 points and 4th placed Akwa United on 22 points looking to further consolidate their position on the log.
Plateau United have enjoyed a long spell on the top of the log but they have lost their last two away games. Akwa United on the other hand, have overcome their slow start and have recorded five straight wins under new coach Kennedy Boboye.
The Promise Keepers who have won their last two away games and have only conceded once in their previous five matches and much will be expected from strikers Akarandut Orok and Ndifreke Effiong who are the team’s leading scorers with four goals each.
In the last seven meetings between the two sides, both teams have two wins apiece while three of those matches ended in stalemate.