Akwa United will not return to the continent next season as they ended their home campaign for the current season with a 2-2 draw against Abia Warriors.
United had flown the flags of the country in the CAF champions league this season after being crowned NPFL champions for last season although they crashed out in the qualifying rounds.
Naibe Akpesiri had put the Promise Keepers to a good start with an early goal in the 6th minute but they could not hold the lead as Godwin Obaje equalized for Warriors.
Wisdom Fernando had added to his goal tally for the season in the 32nd minute but Michael Ibe canceled the goal to ensure United’s race for continental spot was over.
Giving his assessment of the game, Akwa United’s coach, Deji Ayeni lamented that the players were lackluster at some points in the game.
“Well sometimes, player can be very naive. Sometimes you give them what to do and they get to the pitch and do otherwise. As a result of that, we had to keep repeating our plan to them on the pitch.”
“At the same time, even when you are shouting the plan at them, they still don’t get it right and that is football, sometimes you get it right, sometimes you don’t.”
Akwa United will now concentrate on the AITEO Cup as their only chance of playing on the continent for season.
The promise Keepers will however first end their NPFL campaign for this season against continental hopeful, Rangers on the last day of the season at the Awka Township stadium, adopted ground of the Flying Antelopes.
