NPFL champions Akwa United have on Thursday unveiled Deji Ayeni as the club’s new head coach,https://aclsports.com reports. The fast-rising tactician joins the Promise Keepers from Sunshine Stars whom he signed for from Nigeria National League side Ekiti United last June.
While speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Ayeni admitted that the side is a quality one and hopes to achieve with the club.
“We have lots of quality players, old experienced players. Sometimes, result-oriented mentality might not be in a group of players due to personal or collective reasons. I believe in the quality the team possess and I can assure you that we can achieve our aim together.
On pressure from the fans, the former Cynosure boss called for patience.
“Football is an emotional game all over the world. I want to urge the fans, spectators, supporters and stakeholders that there’s nothing you do in a hurry that you will get it right.”
Since the resignation of Kennedy Boboye last month, the management of the club put Atune Jolomi in charge on a caretaker basis, while they search for a new manager.
However, a run of unimpressive results has forced the Uyo side to settle for Ayeni ahead of other linked candidates like Hakeem Busari and Efe Sodje.
Ayeni made his NPFL managerial debut last season and was able to steer the Owena Whales to safety on the final day. Against all odds this term, the team sits in eight position after the completion of the first stanza.
He now faces an uphill task to take Akwa United to a more respectable position as they are currently 15pts away from league leaders Rivers United in sixth position.
Ayeni will lead Akwa United for the first time when they host Rivers United on match day 20 of the NPFL 21/22 season at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium next month.
