Akwa United star-winger Mfon Udoh says he is delighted after emerging the joint-top scorer of the abridged 2019 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season, adding that he is optimistic the Promise Keepers will be crowned champions at the end of the NPFL Championship Playoffs, which begin in Lagos on Tuesday.

The former Enyimba captain scored 10 goals, same as Nasarawa United’s Sunusi Ibrahim, to help the 2-time Aiteo Cup winners finish top of Group B in the abridged season.

The Rafael Everton-tutored side will open their campaign at the playoffs against 4-time champions, Kano Pillars by 5pm on Tuesday at the Agege Stadium, before subsequent matches against FC IfeanyiUbah, Rangers, Lobi Stars and Enyimba in a round-robin format, as they hope to win their first-ever NPFL title.

“I feel happy, I feel excited, though, that was not my utmost priority,” the 2014 NPFL Player of the Season said, regarding finishing as the league’s joint-top scorer. “(My priority) is just to see Akwa United win the league. We are still on the verge of doing that. But I am so happy and excited that I am the highest goalscorer of the Nigeria Professional Football League for the second time. It gives me reasons to keep working hard.

Quizzed about his side’s chances of winning the league this term, Udoh, who scored a record 23 goals in the 2014 NPFL season to emerge top scorer, said: “Well, I am very, very confident, I know the team we have. But, inasmuch as we have a good team, we don’t have to underrate any team.

“We are going to go there with the belief that we are playing a cup final, every match is a final. And we are going to approach every game with caution. We are going to approach every game with all amount of seriousness.

“I believe and I know that at the end of the day, Akwa United will be crowned champions,” the 27-year-old boasted.