Akwa United Optimistic To Lift NPFL Title

Akwa United coach, Abdu Maikaba has expressed confidence that the Promise Keepers will emerge champions of the Nigerian League in 2017.
The Uyo outfit brushed off a shaky start and  finished the first stanza of the 2016/17 Nigeria Professional Football League season in fifth position, six points behind league leaders, Plateau United.
The tactician revealed the effort he put in the team to get to this stage.
“Yes, the truth is that we are lucky to be within the teams that finished top at the end of the first round of the league,” Maikaba told newsmen.
“We didn’t have the best start but at the end of the first 19 matches we are fifth, six points behind the league leaders Plateau united. I believe at the end of the next round of 19 games we shall be on top of the log.
“If our progression will continue this way then we shall be the league champions at the end of the season.
“We struggled at the start of the season because I took over from a coach we don’t share same philosophy, I believe that we have taken off on a better note in the first round.
“I had  the job of trying to teach my philosophy to the players, most especially the old ones and integrate the new and old players to play together.
“And that’s a major reason we couldn’t start well. A lot of people complained but I insisted they should be patient and that we needed time to gel.
“We thank God that we are doing well and only need to improve and be consistent when the league resumes.”