NPFL: Everton Boastful of Akwa United’s Away League Form

Akwa United Coach, Rafael Everton is proud of his team which is yet to lose a game in the Nigeria Professional Football League since February.

On the arrival of the Brazilian, the Promise Keepers could only pick a paltry two points from as many as four games including a shocking dramatic home loss in the opening game of the season to El-Kanemi Warriors.  

After a tongue-lashing from Club Chairman, Elder Paul Bassey shortly after a humbling 2-0 loss to Nassarawa United in Lafia, the 2017 Aiteo Cup Champions emptied their arsenal against Go Round FC in a resounding 4 – 0 victory appeasing home fans who watched on with relish.

In February, Everton’s side played five (5) games recording four wins and a draw. The feat got the former Ifeanyi Ubah gaffer nominated for the League Blogger Awards for Coach of the month.

On Sunday, the Uyo based side picked all three points in Okigwe after Ndifreke Effiong opened the scoring to increase his tally for the season to five. Despite the Naze Millionaires grabbing an equalizer, former Enyimba point man nicked the final goal of the encounter to lift Akwa United to second place in Group B, two points behind FC Ifeanyi Ubah.

Everton did not fail to hide his excitement after his team secured maximum three points for the second time in as many as six (6) matches away from home. Which NPFL Coach won’t be excited after his side has picked nine (9) points from a possible 18 midway through the season.

Pointing to the turnaround, the 30-year-old tactician said, “(In) football, sometimes we need time to work. We have good players. This one (the early season blushes) teach us to have good results.

“We now have seven matches, no loss. We go away like home. We play (and) we see [the] chance to score. The players now have confidence to score goals.” He said.

Akwa United have scored 12 of their 17 goals so far this season at the Nest of Champions and will hope to do a double over Heartland of Owerri who visit Uyo on Sunday, March 24.