BY MFON PATRICK
Head Coach of Akwa United Kennedy Boboye has encouraged his players not to rest on their ores but to concentrate maximally on getting a positive result against Dakkada FC to ensure they consolidate their position at the pinnacle of Nigeria Professional Football League standing.
The Promise Keepers are top of the log on superior goal difference after their victory over Sunshine Stars and will be seeking to further extend their unbeaten run of form to eleven (11) matches on Match-day 21 when they engage 9th placed Dakkada FC on Sunday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium – The Nest of Champions.
The two-time Federation Cup Champions are without a defeat in their last ten NPFL games comprising six victories and four draws (6 Wins, 4 draws). Victory for Akwa United this weekend will see them remain on top of the standings for two consecutive weeks and coach Boboye has charged his players not to gamble with their chances.
“After a very poor start to the season, we have worked hard to be where we are on the log, and to remain on top we have to redouble our effort and be more committed and dedicated in all our matches because the second half of the season is usually very tough and competitive.
“The game on Sunday against Dakkada will be a tough match because, at this level of football, you can’t afford to underrate any team. Since I came to Akwa United, we have played Dakkada on three occasions (one win and two draws) and it has not always been easy playing against them.
“I’m satisfied with the level of confidence and commitment from my players and I’m calling on them to put in their very best on Sunday, knowing that a win will keep us at the top.
“People are talking about our unbeaten run in the league but that is not our concern because those matches are gone and our concentration is on the game we have on Sunday. We will do everything to avoid distractions because this match is very important to us”.
The Promise Keepers have recorded one win with two draws in their previous three encounters in the NPFL with neighbors Dakkada FC. In their last ten NPFL games at the Nest of Champions, Coach Boboye’s men have picked eight victories and two draws, scoring seventeen goals and conceded just three times.
Forwards, Ndifreke Effiong, Mfon Udoh, Charles Atshimene, and Ikechukwu Nwani have scored a combined twenty(20) goals and much will be expected from the strikers when they file out against Dakkada FC on Sunday.
Dakkada FC have scored 19 goals and conceded 10 in their ten home games thus far, comprising eight wins, one draw, and one defeat. They will be coming into this weekend’s encounter on the back of a two-nil defeat to Rivers United in Port Harcourt last time out.
The game will kick off by 4 pm at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Sunday and will be played under strict Covid-19 guidelines.
