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NPFL23: Deji Ayeni weighs Akwa United’s winning chances against Bendel Insurance
Published
2 years agoon
By Wale Mustapha
Head Coach of Akwa United, Deji Ayeni is confident about recording a winning start with the Promise Keepers when they face off with one of the country’s traditional sides Bendel Insurance on Sunday in Uyo.
Ayeni joined the former Nigerian league champions midway last season from rivals Sunshine Stars but could not steer them to a continental place – something he will seek to achieve with the Uyo based side, this term.
With over seven months of preparations, the former Ekiti United gaffer is excited about the team’s strenght to go all the way in the new campaign as he backs his lads to get the job done against Insurance.
“As a team, we have done a lot to prepare for the new season and I’m confident that my players are battle ready to go all out and prove their worth on Sunday because they are here on merit,” Ayeni told the club website.
“Our first match is against Insurance of Benin, a newly promoted team to the topflight. They are a club with pedigree, and I know the coach very well.
“We have an idea about their playing pattern and style because we have done our homework well after seeing them play in some pre-season games.”
Having in mind how difficult it is to play in an abridged league, Ayeni tasks his wards on focus and commitment in a bid to end the abridged league campaign as one of the best three teams from the group.
“This season, we will be playing in an abridged League format which means fewer matches and we cannot leave anything to chance and that is why we have to start strong to ensure we secure one of the play-off spots and from there we will challenge for the league title.”