NFPL: Maikaba Delighted with Akwa United’s Win over MFM

Head Coach of Akwa United FC, Abdul Maikaba, has expressed his delight with Akwa United’s victory over MFM FC in midweek Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clash at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

The Promise Keepers secured victory over the Olukoya Boys, thanks to goals from Ibrahim Alhassan and Friday Ubong.

“I’m happy for the team because in the last few matches we have been playing well and getting results we deserve. These are three important points which will give us more confidence,” Maikaba recalled yesterday.

“We converted our chances at the right time and did well to keep them (MFM) at bay. The win was needed and we got a good value for it.

“We wanted this victory, I think it is deserved and now we hope to get better as time goes on,” he added.

“It’s only normal that people want more, we all do, but I think the fans will be happy with the hunger they saw. Those who played gave their all. Of course I want to play better football, but the fundamental thing was to get three points.

“I must admit we faced a quality team that gave us a good fight. Now we will prepare for our week 20 match against MFM and see what will happen in Lagos,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, Abia Warriors FC defender, Abiodun Adebayo, who started and completed all the 19 matches for his club in the first phase of the on-going season has been rewarded by the team for his efforts.

The Oyo State-born central defender who joined Abia Warriors this season from Niger Tornadoes of Minna, was rewarded with N50,000 cash and other prizes in appreciation of his proficiency.

Handing over the items to the player at the club’s Secretariat during a management meeting, the Chairman, Emeka Inyama, said it required an extra commitment and determination for a player to start and complete 19 matches without being substituted and hoped he would replicate the performance in the second stanza of the league.

Inyama said the gesture was to appreciate his efforts and to challenge his colleagues to work harder for the overall interest of the team.

Responding, an obviously elated but surprised Adebayo thanked the management for appreciating his efforts and promised to do even more to realize the club’s objectives at the end of the season.