UYO – Akwa United have revealed plans to get a new coach, reshuffle their current squad and acquire new players ahead of the 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.
Much speculation has been surrounding the managerial position in Akwa United FC shortly after former gaffer and Brazilian Rafael Everton reportedly fell out of favor with the board and as a result, flew back to his home town Sao Paulo.
None of the board members or media team of the southern club would say anything about it as an interim coach, Abasiakan Windy took charge of the team’s last match in the Super 6 playoffs against Enyimba and its Aiteo Cup games.
Speaking exclusively to busybuddiesng.com on the occasion of his 61st birthday, Chairman of the club, Elder Paul Bassey talked about plans for the forthcoming season.
“We all know the problem. We are looking at having a new coach. We have put about twelve players in the transfer market. We are looking at bringing in about seven or eight players. It’s a rebuilding process.
“I’ve always had a team on ground, it’s just to remove and add. Some players are leaving because of injury, some on grounds of indiscipline. But that’s what happens every time; we are in the process of preparing for a new season.”
He would rather speak less when asked for a peep into the managerial appointment.
“No no no, I’ve said I don’t want to think about it, but ‘HE’ will come. Right now, I just thought I should give myself some holiday,” he concluded.
Rafael Everton guided the Promise Keepers to the top of Group B in the abridged league, but fell short of a continental spot in the Super 6 playoffs, finishing 4th on the log.
He reportedly fell out of favour with the board during the playoffs and was not in the dugout for the final game against eventual champions Enyimba. He has since returned to Brazil according to his media managers.
