Sunshine Stars Football Club of Akure, coached by Kennedy Boboye, made a mincemeat of Akwa United with a stunning 2-1 defeat at the weekend.
The matchday 4 result at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium was the Promise Keepers first defeat this season and also their first defeat to Sunshine Stars in Uyo.
Boboye, who had served as a chief coach to the Akwa Ibom stars from December 16, 2019 to February 14, 2022 deployed superior tactics that crumbled the defence walls of the Promise keepers.
A goal in each half for the visitors by Chinedu Nwosu and Seth Mayi rendered Wisdom Ndon’s 83rd minute effort as mere consolation as Akwa United’s wait for their first win of the campaign continued.
Related news
- NPLF battle: Akwa United Fall to Enyimba
- Akwa United dim Remo Stars in NPFL Match
- NPFL: Akwa United Pip MFM FC In Lagos
However, Head coach Muhammed Baba Ganaru has described Akwa United’s 1-2 defeat to Sunshine Stars as disappointing and unbelievable, but added that his team will have to put up improved performances in subsequent games to ensure the team’s target is met at the end of the season.
“I can’t believe that we lost at home to Sunshine Stars after all the effort we made. I totally understand that in the game of football there are three results but we didn’t deserve the result we got because it was not the true reflection of what transpired. We created many goal scoring opportunities but how we didn’t bury those chances is what I don’t understand.
“It’s unbelievable that we have already dropped five points at home and having just two from a possible nine points is not a good way to kick off our campaign and we need to do something urgently to redeem ourselves and get back on track for the task ahead.
I know that the league is a marathon race and we still have 35 more games to play but we have to be more committed and dedicated by stepping up our game to ensure we get back in the mix.
“Our next two games are against Enyimba and Rivers United away from home. We have to make the most of our chances because we believe that we can get results irrespective of where we are playing.
“Teams are winning away from home so we have to approach our games with that mentality that we can win anywhere. All that we need is to ensure we maintain our composure and not be unnecessarily anxious at crucial moments.”
The 2021 champions have managed two draws while suffering one defeat in their opening three matches of this campaign and will be traveling to Aba on Wednesday expecting to record their first win of the season.
Akwa United occupy 14th position on NPLF log for 2024/2025 having playing three matches.
Reported by Mfon Patrick
