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‘We are still on course to win the NPFL this season’ – Akwa United Chairman
By: Monsurah Olatunji
Chairman of Akwa United, Paul Bassey has claimed that the loss will make them stronger and believes the team was poised to still win the league despite the early set back.
The Nigeria Professional Football League season (NPFL) 2022/23 season kicked off last weekend as newly promoted Bendel Insurance earned a shock 2-0 victory over Akwa United at the Nest of Champions in Uyo.
Despite the setback, the football administrator insists that the NPFL is a big and tough league, and irrespective of the result, the coach would work on the weaknesses of the team and strengthen the boys mentally.
“We were more tactical and experienced than our opponents, but failed to take our chances in spite the sustained pressure, especially in the second half, and that was our greatest undoing,” Bassey told media.
“Notwithstanding, we are still on course to win the league this season. We’ve done it before and also know why we did not win it last season. We had been playing a lot of preseason matches since September 2022 with most of the premier league top guns, including Enyimba, Rangers and Rivers United FC, among others.
“We also have a good surface and when we play at home, we stretch teams, which make them unable to cope with our style of play.”
Akwa United finished ninth on the NPFL table with 52 points at the end of the 2021/22 season and this time, the Chairman believes the greatest incentive for the players was the league title and getting exposure on the continent.
“I keep on telling them that they are not playing for Akwa United or for me, but for themselves. So, they have to go out there and prove themselves and use Akwa United as a pedestal to go forward in their footballing career,” he continued.
“I have never tied down any player. At the end of the league season Akwa United wins and they are noticed. They go to play continental football.
“Every time we’ve gone into the continent, we have lost two, three or more players, especially to the North Africans. That is the biggest incentive. So, it’s not all about money, but the exposure of the players themselves.”
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