MFON PATRICK
Assistant captain of Akwa United Ubong Friday says the team’s primary target this season has not yet been achieved. He restated that the players have resolved to continue giving their best in every match until the aim of winning the NPFL title is realised.
Friday who has scored two goals this season told the club’s official website www.Akwaunitedfc.com that the players will not be complacent but will approach the remaining games of the season with a positive mindset.
Akwa United are in Kaduna to engage second placed Kano Pillars in what has been described by many football followers as the biggest game of the season but Friday says he and his teammates won’t leave anything to chance on Sunday.
“A lot has been said about how well we have played so far this season, the record we have set in the league, yes it’s true, that we have done all of that but we still have twelve more matches before the end of the season, so we are certainly not there yet because we still have a lot of work to do.
“We all resolve to take it one game at a time and that is what we have been doing. At the moment our concentration and energy is on the game against Kano Pillars on Sunday because it’s a match of great importance to us that is why we won’t leave any stone unturned.
“We are committed and determined now more than ever to ensure we give our very best in every match. Pillars are a good team, they have not lost at home so far this season but we are here in Kaduna for a serious business because they are beatable. We have defeated Kano Pillars in Uyo this season and doing the double over them is very possible. The last time we beat Pillars home and away was in 2017 and I believe we can do it again this season”.
“We are getting closer and closer to achieving our target and the only thing we have to do to realise our season’s target is to remain focused and fight for every available point irrespective of where we are playing”.
Akwa United arrived Kaduna on Friday night after a resounding 3-1 victory over Heartland FC. The result which extended their unbeaten streak in the current NPFL season to sixteen matches and also propelled them to the pinnacle of the NPFL standings with 49 points, one better than Kano Pillars.
This weekend’s hosts will go into Sunday’s game on the back of a two-nil defeat in the hands of Rivers United in Port Harcourt on Match-day 26.
The Promise Keepers are unbeaten in their last eight away matches this season. Coach Kennedy Boboye’s men still have a good memory of the Amadu Bello Stadium where they played a 1-1 draw with Jigawa Golden Stars who are also sharing the Kaduna pitch with Kano Pillars as their adopted home ground this term.
Akwa United will be inspired by their impeccable form which has been built on a profitable frontline with 31 goals and a resolute defense which has conceded just 15 goals in 26 matches.
Striker Charles Atshimene will once again be leading the Promise Keepers’ charge in Kaduna. The striker is the clubs leading scorer this season with nine (9) goals. Iconic striker Mfon Udoh has six goals while Ikechukwu Nwani, Ubong Friday and Nasiru Jibril are on two goals each. Goalkeeper Adewale Adeyinka will be chasing his 13th clean sheets of the season having kept 12 clean slates in 21 games so far this season.
The crucial game will kickoff at 4pm and will be played behind closed doors with strict adherence to all Covid-19 guidelines as issued by the Nigeria Football Federation NFF and the league organisers the League Management Company LMC.
