By Obaseki Anthony on December 20, 2019

New Head Coach of Akwa United Football Club of Uyo, Kennedy Boboye, was on the sidelines as the Promise Keepers beat Rivers United 2-1 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Uyo to secure their second victory of the 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

One-time NPFL top scorer Orok Akarandut got his first start of the season and capped it up with an 11th minute strike to give his team an early lead.

However, the Pride of Rivers pressed hard and were rewarded in the 34th minute with a sensational left-footed strike through N’gouan Konan’s solo run.

The game was almost heading for a draw when a string of attempts from  a stoppage time corner kick was finished up by centre back Sampson Gbadebo to condemn his former side to defeat and hand Akwa United all three points.

Reacting after the game on Wednesday evening, goalscorer Orok Akarandut was full of praise for the new head coach while thanking God for the victory.

He said of Boboye: “He called me and told me, ‘Can you give me this?’ I have seen what you can do.’ So I told him, ‘As far as you have confidence in me I will do my best’.

“Honestly, I give God the glory for the victory; I give God the glory for the partnership. Thank God we survived. I believe the time for Akwa United to start winning games has come.”

Also speaking at the post-match conference, assistant coach of Akwa United Abdullahi Umar revealed the secret of the team’s triumph.

“From our pre-match talk, we told the boys that we are going to give 120 percent from the blast of the whistle to the end.That’s exactly what happened,” he said.

Umar added that it is never easy playing against Rivers United.

“Rivers United are not new playing against Akwa United. Whenever they are playing against us you will notice the intensity is always very high. The boys changed their character and that is how we got it,” he said.

The two-time Aiteo Cup champions now have 10 points from nine games and sit 15th on the log.

Up next for Kennedy Boboye’s lads is a derby with high-flying Dakkada FC at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Sunday followed by a blockbuster against Lobi Stars a week later.

•PHOTO: Akwa United Head Coach Kennedy Boboye

Source Daily Sports

Posted December 20, 2019

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