By Akila Matawal
Akwa United head coach Deji Ayeni has hailed his team’s synergy after their 3-0 Aiteo Cup round of 32 win over Remo Stars in Enugu on Wednesday evening.
Samuel Amadi’s hat trick condemned Remo Stars to defeat and confirmed Akwa United’s place in the last 16, and Ayeni was quick to commend the team’s teamwork in his post match reaction.
“Every player in my team has the quality to be in the first team…When your time hasn’t come to play, it doesn’t mean you are relegated to be in the second team. I don’t believe in a second team. I believe that everybody has the opportunity to play. And inside this team, I can tell you authoritatively there are some players that have not been playing regularly in the team that came in and justified their inclusion in the team.
“The guy that scored the three goals (Samuel Amadi) is on and off in the team, and other players that I brought in too.
“So I think it’s a very good synergy of understanding of the players. When one is out, one comes in to deliver.”
Ayeni also expressed excitement over the team’s goal return that has seen the Promise Keepers score six goals in two games in the Aiteo Cup: three against Essien Ayi in the round of 64, and three against Remo Stars in the round of 32.
“You can see the quality of goals they scored today and the other day, it’s as a result of teamwork and being clinical in front of goal.”
A disappointing ninth-placed finish saw Akwa United lose out on a continental spot, but the gaffer feels there is a chance through the Aiteo Cup.
“We want to go back to continent, and we believe that having lost it in the league, we can make it up in the Aiteo Cup”.
Akwa United will face Kogi United on Sunday at the UNEC Stadium, Enugu in the round of 16.
