Head coach of Akwa United Ayodeji Ayeni says he is impressed with his team’s level of performances in their recent pre-season games and added that the team will be fully prepared before the commencement of the 2022-23 Nigeria Professional Football League season.
Coach Ayeni in an exclusive interview with the club’s official website www.akwaunitrdfc.com shortly after the Promise Keepers goalless draw against Enugu Rangers at the Awka City Stadium Saturday morning revealed that the technical crew will work to correct all noticeable lapses in the team to ensure a formidable team is in place to challenge for honours in the new season.
“We have taken a lot of positives from the pre-season friendly games we have played. We came here to Awka to play Rangers, a team that we know too well. Few weeks ago we put up a spectacular performance to beat them 2-0 in Eket and today we couldn’t score and it ended in a draw.
“The truth is that it was a very good but tough game for both teams and we have taken lessons from the game that will help us as we continue our preparations”.
Assessing his team’s performance against Rangers coach Ayeni commended his players for their fighting spirit and determination during the game.
“I must say that I’m happy that my players were able to express themselves and march their hosts toe-to-toe. It was an interesting game in which both teams created good scoring opportunities but couldn’t bury them.
“We had some very good chances to have won the game but we were a bit wasteful in front of goal. Generally, our ball play is good enough, but we still have to pay extra attention to our finishing which is very key in games like this”.
The game against Enugu Rangers in Awka was Akwa United’s seven Grade-A pre-season friendly game in which they have won three, with two draws and two loses.
The 2021 NPFL champions will continue their pre-season programme in Uyo ahead of the upcoming season.