Rafael Everton believes that his side’s hard-won victory against FC Ifeanyi Ubah represents a turning point that has re-positioned Akwa United as possible title winner, sports247.ng can report
Everton had seen his side come from behind to beat FC Ifeanyi Ubah, his first club as a coach in Nigeria, 2-1 in a game the opponents ran his squad ragged but failed to convert their chances. The Brazilian would admit afterwards that though they had a match plan of containing the younger players from Nnewi, scoring first against his side stunned him to rethink the plan, says Nwokedi
“We have seen other results and now Akwa United are fully in contention with a win and a draw from the two games played so far. That is four points and we have to see other results”, Everton said at the post-match briefing before Rangers saw off Lobi Stars 2-1 and Pillars defeated Enyimba 2-0.
He said FC Ifeanyi Ubah players stretched his players to their limits taken advantage of their relatively younger age but insisted that their tactics worked.
“It was a very tactical match in which I had to replace my captain, Mfon Udoh and the other striker before halftime. We needed players who can contain very fast and younger players on the other side. We allowed them to run but also tried to keep the ball”
FC Ifeanyi Ubah are a very good side, it was never going to be easy playing such a bunch of young players. So, we are happy with the three points and though it was my former club, there are no sentiments, the three points were very important to me”, the Brazilian who also had a brief stint at Abia Warriors ended on a jocular note.
Akwa United plays Rangers International in their next fixture at 7 pm Saturday night in the last game of MatchDay 3. The Uyo club are joint tops with Kano Pillars on four points.
In other games, FC Ifeanyi Ubah will play Kano Pillars while Enyimba and Lobi Stars meet in the second fixture of the day. Both teams are on three points with Rangers while FC Ifeanyi Ubah are yet to pick a point.
